Kris Kay Shirrell

January 5, 1952 - July 5, 2014

Kristina Kay Shirrell was born January 5, 1952 in Mena, Arkansas to Kenneth & Era Dell McWhorter and passed away peacefully at her Vallejo home on July 5, 2014. Kris came West to Vallejo in the mid 1950's with her parents and her older brother, Monty, and soon became the big sister of Kathy. She attended local schools, graduating from Hogan High School in 1970. Kris married longtime family friend, Keith Shirrell, on December 27, 1985. She was a loving mother to daughter Mandy and son Shon and later became a devoted grandmother to Ashlee. Her long, successful career in the insurance industry begain in the late 1970's. After joining her friend and associate, Dan Donahue, at Donahue Insurance Services in 1989, Kris and Dan became partners in 1993. Together they established Donahue - Shirrell Insurance Services which is now Vallejo Insurance Associates LLC, with additional partners Jeanne Kilkenny-Turk, Saint Hillyer,retired, Henry Thorpe, Jr., Tim Minahen, deceased, and Tom Atwood. Kris retired May 31, 2014. Kris enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle including skiing, golfing, softball and camping. Always a natural athlete, she was a great shortstop and had a hook shot that no one could defend in basketball. Kris also enjoyed traveling and seeing new places; road trips with Keith to Texas and Mississippi were recent favorites. Another favorite trip was her annual Aptos week with her YaYas. Kris supported various community groups and was a member and Past President of Soroptomist International of Vallejo. Her drive to create and uphold family traditions made a lasting impact on Kris' family and friends. Her annual Christmas Sing-A-Long is an event that she started in 1977 and it has grown larger each year. It is something that her children, granddaughter, niece and nephews have cherished their entire lives. She is a force in the lives of her family and friends. Kris is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Keith and their children Mandy and Shon. She is the beloved Grammie of Ashlee. Kris is also survived by her father, Kenneth McWhorter, brother Monty (Jane) McWhorter, nephews Matt and Mike McWhorter, sister Kathy (Greig) Hope, nephew Andrew and niece Kayci Hope, and Mom-in -Law, Dovie Shirrell. Kris was preceded in death by her mom, Era Dell McWhorter. A memorial service will be held on Friday July 11, 2014 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church, 1350 Amador St. Vallejo, CA 94590. A celebration of life will immediately follow the service in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PEO Sisterhood, Chapter ON, Era Dell McWhorter Scholarship. Mailing address: Ms. Gaynel Kew, Treasurer, 164 Robles Way, #293, Vallejo CA 94591.