Shirley Lea Kenyon

Shirley Lea (Reed) Kenyon

July 22, 1935 – August 3, 2026

Shirley Kenyon finished her earthly race and was welcomed into Glory by her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on the afternoon of August 3, 2026. In the week before she passed, all six of her children were able to spend time with her.

Shirley was born in Gridley, a small town in rural eastern Kansas, the youngest of five daughters born to Lloyd and Grace Reed. While attending Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, she caught the eye of Wayne Kenyon, an aspiring preacher, and they married in July 1956. Shirley and Wayne reared four biological children, Murray (Penny) Kenyon, Evan (Carla) Kenyon, Sarah (Tim) Middleton, and Julie (Kent) Miller. They later added two more beloved daughters through foster parenthood, Patricia (Steve) Paulsen and Leti Lesseuer. Shirley’s 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren are spread across the nation.

Shirley was a devoted Christ follower whose ministry was serving as a pastor’s wife and mother wherever the Lord led. In 69 years with Wayne, Shirley always made sure the home ran smoothly and the kids went to school, tried out for sports teams, played in the band, and did all the things normal families do. After graduating from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, Shirley and Wayne moved to Kentucky for seminary training and she then accompanied him as he pastored churches in Kansas, Indiana, and Texas. In 1972, Shirley and Wayne became cross cultural missionaries. With four of their children, they moved to San Jose, Costa Rica, for Spanish language study. From there, their mission organization posted them to Guayaquil, then Quito, Ecuador. They returned to the United States in 1975 and re entered the pastorate shortly thereafter, first in Kansas, then Indiana, and finally Arlington, Texas, where they made their home for the last 45 years.

A celebration of Shirley's life will take place at Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX, at 10:00am on Saturday, August 22.