SHIRLEY LOUIS KINSFATHER MAYHALL, 87,
passed away on May 19, 2015 in Abilene, TX.
Shirley L. Mayhall was born on Sept. 24, 1928 in
Mercedes, TX to German immigrants Rev. John Kinsfather
& Mollie Foos. At a very early age she learned to play
the guitar & piano and thus began her lifelong ministry
of music and singing for the Lord. During many of her
father's revivals she played the guitar and she and her
sister Elsie provided the music. She met the love of
her life at the age of 13 when her dad was called to
pastor the church in Ranger, TX. She attended Ranger
High School in the Class of 1945 and graduated in the
summer. Shirley was President of the Future Homemakers.
She met Lonnie L. Mayhall, Sr. (RHS-1943) on the first
Sunday when the Mayhall family invited them out to their
home in the country for Sunday dinner. Three and a half
years later they were married at her dad's church in
Ranger by Rev Lonzo Sides.
Lonnie Sr. and Shirley eventually settled in Abilene
in 1953 on Westmoreland Street at the same home in
which she has continued to reside for the last 62 years.
They had four children; Sharon, Elaine, Janel & Lonnie
Jr. She was an outstanding homemaker and also worked
18 years with AISD. She continued her music & singing
ministry into her 80s at the First United Pentecostal
Church of Abilene, that her Dad, the Rev. JJ Kinsfather,
pastored for 38 years. She was an amazing wife & mother
who loved to cook, entertain her family, and take care
of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Shirley also
had an ongoing letter and card ministry as well as
volunteering her vehicle to get other elderly friends
and church members to and from church services or other
places. She was diligent in reading the Bible daily and
her favorite bible to read from was her parent's bible.
She often commented on how her father would read from
that very bible before every meal during her childhood.
Although, she was unable to continue some of these
activities in the last several years due to illness,
she remained a steadfast, intercessory prayer warrior
for her family, and church. She had a loving, outgoing
personality and a huge heart for giving and helping
others in her church and community.
At the time of her death, she was survived by two child-
ren; Janel Mayhall Young & husband Gary of Tuscola, and
Lonnie L. Mayhall Jr. and wife Sandy of Missouri City,
TX. Eight grandchildren; Curt Sanders, Chad Sanders and
wife Nellie, Norman Sanders, Bert Young and wife Amber,
Dr. Traci Young King and husband James, Malorie Mayhall
Gilbert and husband Landon, Kaden Mayhall and Abigail
Mayhall; and fourteen great-grandchildren: Rode, Audrey,
Dalton, Garrison, Hannah, Tate, Elaina, Madalynn, Caleb,
JE, Jaxson, Deagan, Jenna and Bella. She is also survived
by one son-in-law, Norman Sanders, II of Abilene and two
aunts; Minnie B Kinsfather and Martha Genewinckle of New
Braunfels, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins
and numerous extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Sr; her
father, Rev J.J. Kinsfather; mother, Mollie Foos Kinsfather;
sister Elsie Kinsfather Windland (RHS-1948) & her husband
J.W.; nephew Donnie Windland; grand-niece Kristi Windland;
daughters Sharon Mayhall Sanders Watts and Elaine Sanders;
and son-in-law Robert Sanders.