Shirley Edwards-Nash

“Heaven’s Gain” Shirley Avon Stargell Nash was born on May 29, 1942 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Joe and Mae Lee (Jackson) Stargell. She was a graduate of Earlsboro High School located in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. She received certification from the Department of Human Services as a provider for the elderly, and as a foster parent. She was a nurse’s aide at Parkview Nursing Home of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Shirley and her second husband, Lawton Edwards, were foster parents for twelve years. They kept approximately 50 children in their home at various times. Shirley kept in contact with some of the children until her death. Shirley was a loving and caring mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and foster mom. Shirley united with the New Hope Baptist Church in Earlsboro, Oklahoma under the leadership of Pastor Jesse and Francis Woodfork. While under their leadership, Shirley served as an assistant recording secretary, choir member, treasure of the junior mission, program chairman, and director over the dining/kitchen. After serving for several years at New Hope Baptist, she united with Emmanuel Temple of Praise and Deliverance located in Shawnee, Oklahoma and served under the leadership of Pastor Odell Hardeman. She served as a Sunday school teacher and director over the dining/kitchen department. Shirley’s hobbies included cooking and crocheting. Shirley married Forrest Anderson Nash. Forrest passed away January 29, 1969. To their union two children were born; one daughter, Gloria Dean (Nash) Goudge and one son, James Roger Nash. On September 22, 1972 Shirley married Lawfton Edwards. They adopted four children; Joenathan Stargell II, Terrence Stargell, Dominique Stargell Pratt and Elijah Adriel Stargell. She is preceded in death by Forrest Nash; her grandparents, Porter and Clora Jackson; her parents, Joe and Mae Lee Stargell; one nephew, Eric Wade Hutchinson; one brother-in-law, Lamar Hunter; one niece, Sheila Stargell and one nephew, Gregory Hinex. Shirley is survived by her two daughters; Gloria Nash Goudge of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Dominque Stargell Pratt of Denver, Colorado; four sons, James Nash of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Joenathan Stargell II of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Terrence Stargell of Tecumseh, Oklahoma and Elijah Adriel Stargell of Tecumseh, Oklahoma; three sisters, JoAnn Hunter and Wanda Hinex of Midwest City, Oklahoma; Loretta Dejear of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three brothers, Kenneth Ray Stargell, Wendell Stargell and Randell Stargell of Shawnee, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Forrest Ray Eugene Nash of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Desiree Nicole Nash of Seminole, Oklahoma and Victoria Avon Nash of Durango, Colorado; great grandchildren, Maliq Ray Jones, Tryson, Nash, Saniah Nash, Lakiya, Maliyah, Aaliyah and Kassarah Stargell and a host of foster children, foster grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Emmanuel Temple of Praise and Deliverance, Shawnee, Oklahoma. Pastor Odell Hardeman will officiate the service with burial at Earlsboro Cemetery, Earlsboro, Oklahoma. Services under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole, Oklahoma.   Funeral Information: February 3, 2018, 2:00 PM Emmanuel Temple of Praise and Deliverance located at Hwy, Shawnee, OK 74868