Shirley Ann (Burnett) Snow, 89, passed peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 7:23 AM.
One of the strongest women we knew, Shirley, fought hard. Even in passing, she still showed love with hints of smiles and kisses.
Shirley was born in West Frankfort, Illinois on January 14, 1936 to George and Elsie Burnett. She was one of 15 children.
On June 6, 1956, Shirley married her Marine, Cleatis L. Snow, the love of her life.
Their love story began with a chance meeting on a train departure from Chicago to southern Illinois.
Cleatis was serving the United States military as a USMC and was on leave. Shirley was visiting her sister. Fate led Cleatis to meet the most beautiful girl in the world. He told his mom Shirley would be his wife.
They were married 67 years and blessed with seven children, Diana Boone (Les) of Mt. Vernon, IL, Kathy Hulbert (Robert “Bob”) of Mt. Vernon, IL, Rhonda Yeager (Frank) of Cynthiana, KY, Cleatis Jr., known as Sonny, of Mt. Vernon, IL, Charles, known as Rusty (Donna), Steven (Renee) and Todd and husband Peter Cook of Quincy, IL.
They were also blessed with 22 grandchildren, Rob Hulbert (Stacy), Christie Hawkins (Trymon), Jeremy Boone (Erica) of Effingham, Il, Holli Hodge (Tim), Jacob Boone (Desiree) of Hermitage, TN, Bethanie Snow Gooden, Stephanie Reynolds (Charlie) of Berry, KY, Ivy Napier (Erica) of Georgetown, KY, Lance Yeager of Cythiana, KY, Bryan Snow, April Snow, Tiffany Snow, Sonny T Snow, Kenny Ray Snow, Brandon Snow, Jessica Baron, Travis Snow (Amber) of Tennyson, IN, Crystal Wilson, Emily Snow, Blake Snow (Kayla) of Nason, IL, Taylor Martin (Mitch) of Salem, IL, Twanna Snow (deceased) and Ella Capps.
They were also blessed with a special niece, Ann Barciszewski and several great and great, great grandchildren.
Shirley is also survived by her sister, Donna Burnett and her brother, Robert Burnett, both of Benton.
Preceding her in death were her parents, brothers, Glenn, Donald, Jim, George, Bill; sisters, Patty, Norma, Betty, and Lucille; husband, Cleatis Snow, and granddaughter Twanna with great grandson Duane.
Shirley’s first job was as an elevator operator in the Wood Building on the Benton Square. Throughout the years, Shirley held several jobs, but was mostly a stay-at-home mom to her seven children.
Shirley loved music and could often be caught singing along to just about anything on the radio or her favorite Tammy Wynette record. She had a beautiful voice and many of her children’s friends always asked her if she was a professional singer.
Shirley also had a heart for makeup and hair, opening her kitchen to friends and family as an in-home salon.
Shirley enjoyed cooking huge Sunday meals for her family. Her dessert specialty was her banana pudding.
Shirley enjoyed gardening and tending to her many flowers. Watching slow pitch softball from her porch was a favorite form of summer entertainment. She had her favorite team and never failed to give the umpires a piece of her mind.
After her husband passed in June 2023, she shared many TV/movie nights with her son, Todd. Her favorites were Everybody Loves Raymond, Naked and Afraid, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie and the Walton’s.
Shirley had a little bit of an ornery side with a huge heart of gold. She will be missed, but we know that Shirley is with her Heavenly Father, husband, granddaughter and great grandson who all went before her. She was so loved by everyone who knew her and she will be missed.
A very special thank you to Caregivers Sissy, Debbie and Shirley.
Also, we want to thank our parents’ wonderful neighbors, Toby and Peggy York.
Thank you to SSM Hospice, especially Nurse Jamie Taylor and Christine Burnett.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 10:00 am with Reverend Les Sinks officiating. Interment will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to South Hickory Hill Cemetery.
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