Shirley Randall Taliaferro

Shirley Taliaferro - 4/17/38 - 7/8/23 Shirley Faye Randall Taliaferro was born April, 17, 1938 on her mother's birthday in the community of West Sandy, just outside Huntsville, Texas, to Gus Wheeler Randall and Lillie Mae Wells Randall. She had 2 older brothers: John Wheeler Randall (and wife Mary Lee), Jimmie Rex Randall (and wife Evalyn) and 2 younger sisters: Sarah Dell Lynch (and husband Phil), Mary Nell Dawson (and husband Steve). Shirley and Charles Thomas Taliaferro married on July 26, 1956, had 4 children, and shared over 30 years of marriage. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and husband. Shirley is survived by her 2 sisters: Mary Dawson and Sarah Lynch; her 4 children: Charles Anthony 'Tony' Taliaferro (and wife Louise) of Nashville, Terry Randall Taliaferro of Richards, Tamy Taliaferro Duplantis (and husband Rob) of Richards, and Timothy Foster Taliaferro (and wife Tracy) of Richards; her 8 grandchildren: Tony's children: Tanner, Taylor, Olivia, and Brianna (and husband Chris), Tamy's children: Carli and Maci (and husband Mason), and Tim's children: Ty (and wife Saylor) and Tori (and fiancé Jake); her 2 great grandchildren: Ty's son, Teel, and Tori's son, Beckham; her 2 great grandsons that are on the way: Ty's son, baby Tritt and Maci's son, baby Cooper. Shirley grew up in a close family and community that believes Jesus is the son of God, that making your family proud and respecting your parents is more important than any personal ambition, that loyalty and integrity are non-negotiables, and that being from the country is something to be proud of. She never wavered in who she was or what she stood for and she was a role model of strength, virtue, faith, and unconditional love. Her 2 older brothers thought she hung the moon. Her younger twin sisters looked up to her as their hero. Her mother was light-hearted and daring while her father was stern and unwavering. Shirley embodied the best of both of them, lived her life to make them proud, and has continued the family legacy as the matriarch. Shirley spent her early childhood in West Sandy and attended the one-room school taught by Miss Dorothy Turner along with her friends and cousins until 5th grade when her family moved and she transferred to Huntsville where she graduated from high school in 1955. She met the love of her life at 14, married that singer and cotton farmer at 17 right after she graduated high school, had Tony when she was 18, Terry at 20, Tamy at 24, and Tim at 30. She dedicated the first chapter of her life to her family, raising her 4 children, teaching Sunday School, being an active leader at church, school, and throughout the community, building lifelong relationships, and caring for her parents and in-laws. She lived life with friends and family in West Sandy, Richards, and Huntsville. At 40, Shirley launched a new chapter of her life and began a career that spanned 27 years. She joined Steele & Associates in Huntsville as an assistant and over 10 years learned how to run title, became an expert, and rose from overseeing (and correcting) all the work of the landmen to being the first female landman. She was absolutely the best in the business. In 1988, she joined Houston Metro where she became the Director of real estate and successfully secured all of the rights-of-way for the first rapid transit system in Houston. That little country girl who had no college degree fearlessly led highly educated teams, sat at the table with CEOs and politicians, and broke glass ceilings of gender and equality. Shirley lived life to its fullest. She loved art, travel, food, jewelry, and new experiences. She was an accomplished painter, seamstress, and decorator. She had exquisite taste, loved fashion, and was always the classiest and best dressed in the room. She traveled the world and could remember every detail of every trip. She was a great cook and learned to make all the family favorites just like her mother. She loved to read, had an impeccable memory, and would definitely have won if she had been on Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. The greatest love of Shirley's life was her kids. They could do no wrong. Just ask her. She gave them wings to soar, confidence that they could do anything, grace to fail, and unwavering support. She encouraged Tony to go to Nashville to pursue his musical dreams and then was on the front row of hundreds of performances across the world. She taught Terry and Tim everything she knew about running title then worked alongside them as they pursued their own careers. Watching her mother move mountains gave Tamy the motivation to go to college and the courage to blaze a trail in technology. She had a special bond with Tracy, Louise, and Rob that was based on trust and a mutual commitment to love and protect her family. She loved her grandchildren, their partners, and those precious great grandbabies. She had a unique relationship with each one, shared wisdom but never judged, was always a phone call away, and never ever missed a birthday. Bunny's house was home for every holiday and Christmas was simply magical. When asked how she always knew the perfect right gift to buy each one, she said "because I listen to what matters most to them". Shirley truly treasured her diverse circles of friends - from the community of family and friends she grew up with and raised her family with to the friends she made throughout her career to her Yaya Sisters. Although she did not waver in her own personal convictions and lifestyle, she truly enjoyed, appreciated, and cherished relationships she built along her life's journey with both those who shared her beliefs as well as those who were different. She traveled the world and always said that it was not the destinations that made the memories but the people you meet along the way. Shirley lived life with no regrets, said she had done everything she had ever wanted to do, wasn't afraid of dying, and was confident that she would see us all in Heaven soon. She left this world the same way she lived it - fighting hard for what meant the most to her. She wanted to see her 2 new great grandbabies born, to sit on her front porch swing one more time and look out over the pasture, and to make one more batch of tomato relish. Shirley is a tough act to follow. And that's just the way she wanted it to be. A visitation is scheduled for Monday July 10, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. A celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Tuesday July 11 at 2:00pm at the funeral home as well and a graveside service will follow at Pool Cemetery. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Shirley Randall Taliaferro

April 17, 1938 - July 8, 2023