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Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Shirley Kelley Lange, died on April 16, 2024. She was 70 years old.

Shirley was born to the late L.W. and Annie Williams Kelley in Brookshire, Texas on August 26, 1953. She was the sixth of 13 children to bless this union. She was a perfect combination of her mother’s beauty and her father’s gentle spirit.

Affectionately known as “Big Red” to her family and friends, Shirley had a quiet personality, but had a hilarious sense of humor around those who knew her well. She often recalled the shenanigans that she and her siblings got into as kids. She frequently mentioned the admiration of how her parents raised her and the pride she took in family. 

As she became a young woman, she shied away from attention. Like her parents, she became a shining example of love, beauty, devotion, and faithfulness.

She attended Clemons School in Pattison, TX and Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas. She displayed her creative talent in art class showing natural ability to draw and paint.

 She also sang in the high school choir. After she completed her formal education, she extended her caretaker role into a career. Shirley worked as a nanny for families in the community. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Brookshire Nursing Home for more than 15 years.

She accepted Christ as a teenager and joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Brookshire. She had fond memories of Vacation Bible School, the Mt. Zion Lively Hope Association and going to church revivals. Shirley attended a ‘camp meeting’ held in Brookshire and became immersed in her faith. She met Sister Evie Johnson, who had a profound impact on her spiritual journey.

Shirley and her sisters Lena, Frances and Rose joined church in Sealy, Texas where she made lifelong friends. Even after relocating to Chula Vista, California, Shirley continued to faithfully tithe to her hometown church (Zion Hill Baptist Church) and worshipped via online service. Recently she met another prayer warrior, Sister Demetria Wallace, who leads daily prayers for her family.

Shirley was the heartbeat of her home and family. She united in marriage with Edward Lange and this union was blessed with two children, son Dunshae and daughter Ciji.

She poured her heart and soul into being the best mother possible and instilled in them the same small-town upbringing and values that she had. She kept her children close to their extended family and taught them respect, gave them discipline, and loved them unconditionally. She fully supported all of their endeavors and was their number one fan.

During her lifetime, she was ‘like a mom’ to nieces, nephews, and bonus family whom she loved dearly. Her motherly love knew no bounds. She balanced no-nonsense discipline with tender, loving care. ‘Aunt’ Shirley raised family members as her own at times: Chasene, Romeka, Lil’ Robert, Chinquetti (KeKe), and Brandon.

Countless afternoons, summers and weekends were filled with many children including Toyja, Tartarian, Omar, Yomuni and Tynettra who happily piled into her house, playing, watching TV, eating, and sleeping alongside her own two children. Thoughts of those days bring smiles to our faces even now.

Lasting memories were also created during summertime visits with a special niece, Toy, at Willow Springs. Shirley looked forward to catching up with Robert, Desjone’ and Kaiden whenever she had the chance. She enjoyed road trips to Dallas to spend time with Chasene, DeWayne and Danyale. She cherished time spent with Demetri who loved spoiling her. Shirley also treasured being Godmother to Tishanna Hollins.

She encouraged all to do their best in everything and supported each of them in their school, extracurricular and church activities. She first answered to ‘Maw Maw’ while raising her great-niece Arieana, whom she cherished as a daughter.

‘Grandmother’ was the next badge of honor Shirley wore proudly. When her first grandchild, Chloe Elon, was born, her love and devotion to her family deepened even more.

Shirley made an unexpected, life changing decision to move from Texas to California when her second grandchild and only grandson, Austin Kai was born. The distance was unfamiliar to her, but she kept family ties strong through daily phone calls, face-time video calls, texts, and cards. The youngest grandchild, Caylee Elise blessed her life approximately six months after Austin.

She became a bi-coastal, full-time grandma and recently gained a bonus granddaughter, Cam and loved every minute of it. Her grandchildren became her pride and joy. She delighted in her role as ‘Maw Maw’ to them; absolutely loving each of her ‘babies’ and quietly spoiling them with endless hugs, special gifts, and individualized attention. Each of her grandchildren had a close and special bond with her.

Shirley had a true love for her family and was the glue that held the family together. She was everything to everyone and was there for everyone in her own special way.

Shirley, Frances, Rose, and Lena shared a passion for the Houston Astros; she made sure everyone knew what time the games started and even sent updates on the games. While the Houston Texans was her favorite team, she would often joke with her brothers about their teams winning and losing.

 In her younger days, she played first base on a local softball team. Shirley even helped to coach her children’s t-ball and baseball teams, cheering them on from the stands or from the baseline. Those past memories always brought a big smile to her face.

She was a good cook too. As a holiday tradition, she would prepare cornbread dressing and ship it to her nephew and great-nephew Toyja and Toyja, Jr. as well as others who made special requests. Billy, Diane, Billy II, and Curtis would bring over Miguel’s cheese and brighten her day.

What she loved most was spending time with those she loved, talking, joking, watching a good movie, or sharing a delicious meal. Her soft-spoken easy-going personality will be missed the most.

While living in California, she welcomed new friends into her family circle. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her extended San Diego family who loved her dearly: Linford and Denise Schultz and family, Michelle Davis, Tanya Johnson, and La Toya Curry just to name a few.

Her life’s legacy focused on family, faith, and friends. She was central to so many funny, happy, and beautiful memories. The impact on the lives she touched, and the tremendous loss of her passing will never be forgotten.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, L.W. and Annie Williams Kelley; daughter, Elon Kelley Lange; brothers, Matthew Kelley, Curtis Kelley, and Bobby Kelley; one sister, Lena Kelley, niece, Chinquetti Kelley, and nephews; Robert Kelley II and Curtis Kelley.

Shirley leaves to cherish her loving memories: her son, Dunshae Lange, daughter-in-law, Regeorgia, and grandson, Austin of Chula Vista, California; daughter, Ciji Lange and son-in-law, Thomas Wells, and granddaughters, Chloe Lange, Caylee Coleman and Cam Wells of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Robert Kelley, Sr. (Ezella) of Katy, Texas, Billy Kelley, Sr. (Diane) of Chula Vista, California, Earnest Kelley (Edith), and Freddy Kelley of Brookshire, Texas; sisters, Birtha Thompson of Lancaster, Texas, Mae Frances Kelley of Katy, Texas, Rose Kelley of Houston, Texas and Kathy Lewis (Paul) of Pearland, Texas. She leaves a host of adoring nieces and nephews; cousins and extended family; special ‘sister’ Carylon Lange; special friends include Ella Louise Banks, Marian Collins, Essie Eason, Mary Harris, Ollie Doris Josey, Lisa Legan, Renell Stewart, Rosemary Wigfall, and Evelyn Williams.

Her legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Shirley Mae Lange will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her family, friends, and community. May she rest in eternal peace.