Shirley Jean Pinkerton

Shirley Jean Brown Pinkerton was welcomed into Heaven on Sunday, July 17, 2016. She was truly one of the kindest people with a loving spirit, beautiful smile, love of people and genuine interest for others. Born September 13, 1931 in Tyler to Robert Y. Brown, Sr. and Gladys Hill Brown as their oldest child. As the granddaughter of Sam R. Hill, she grew up on Houston Street next door and across the street from her beloved Hill Family aunts, uncles and cousins. Many stories have been told of the fun times they had together as children and throughout their lives as they stayed close. She married Travis Alexander “Speedy” Pinkerton on June 8, 1951. She grew up in St. Paul Methodist Church and it remained such a special part of her life until Alzheimers began to affect her daily life last year. Throughout her life, Shirley was always at the church helping in any way she could whether it was teaching Sunday School or VBS, singing in the choir, serving a meal, decorating for Christmas or volunteering on Wonderful Wednesdays. She also enjoyed sitting on her screened back porch in Chapel Hill with a glass of iced tea, studying her Bible, bargain shopping on Fridays adding to her collections, watching old movies, traveling in the U.S. and abroad but, most importantly, spending time with family and friends. Shirley graduated from Tyler High with many special lifelong friends. She always loved helping plan and attending their reunions. Four things Shirley will be remembered for are her unconditional love and genuine care for others, her wonderful smile with the twinkle in her eye, her passion for animals especially dogs and her amazing faith in the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband, T.A. “Speedy” Pinkerton and her brother, Robert Y. Brown, Jr. She is survived by her loving family including niece, Sharon Brown Wynne and husband, James of Tyler; nephew, Bobby Brown and wife, Kim of Edmond, OK; nephew, Doug Brown and wife, Ann of Dallas; nephew, Mike Brown and wife, Joanna of Dallas; sister-in-law, Maymerle Brown of Tyler; one great niece and 7 great nephews, Madeline Shirley Wynne, Chet Wynne, Russell Wynne, Robert Brown, Kendall Brown, Renner Brown, Rowen Brown and Peyton Brown. As well as the Pinkerton family that always considered Shirley one of their own beloved, brother-in-law, Newt Pinkerton of Dallas; nieces, Janet Pinkerton and Lynn Pinkerton of Tyler, Ann Buchanan of Tyler, and Gaylan Davis of Austin, Karen Tucker of Nacogdoches, Marion King and husband Kelly of Nacogdoches, and Susie Poe and husband Mason of Richmond, Virginia; nephews, Jeff Pinkerton and wife, Connie of Tyler, Pat Pinkerton and wife, Sherry of Houston, Paul Buchanan of Tyler, Mark Pinkerton and wife Kathleen of Katy and Jay Pinkerton and wife, Anita of Dallas, Richard Sessions and wife Lisa of Houston and Michael Sessions and wife Robin of Tyler; great nephews, Jason Pinkerton of Tyler, great niece, Bonnie Thomas of Houston, and many special great great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, 75703. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Buddy Powell officiating, a private graveside will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Paul Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1238, Tyler, 75710, SPCA of East Texas, 3405 E Northeast Loop 323, Tyler, 75708 or Meals on Wheels, 3001 Robertson Road, Tyler, 75701.

Shirley Jean Pinkerton

September 13, 1931 - July 17, 2016