Shirley Rose Knesek Pinkerton (88) was born on May 10, 1935, in Moulton, Texas, the daughter of Frank and Helen Knesek.  She passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2023.  She is joined now in heaven by her parents and beloved husband of 68 years, Robert "Pinkie" Pinkerton.

Shirley's beautiful legacy lives on through her sister Janet Durr of Corpus Christi; her 4 daughters: Gina Pinkerton of Corpus Christi, Debbie Pinkerton and Rhonda Henslee of Corpus Christi, Karen and Bruce Kowalik of Corpus Christi, and Lucille and Oscar Berrones of Austin; her grandchildren Matthew Pinkerton and Heather Perez of Corpus Christi, and Luna Berrones of Austin; and great grandchildren Jaidynn Silkwood and Otto Lichtenberger of Corpus Christi, whom she loved dearly.

In her youth, Shirley was known by many, including her beloved husband, as being the sweetest girl with the beautiful blue eyes.  She was a true beauty, being both kind and compassionate, as well as glamourous and charming.  She enjoyed dressing to the nines and loved going dancing with her husband throughout much of their time together.  Shirley and Pinkie liked watching scary and sci-fi movies and matching family outfits.

Shirley was a faithful devout Christian. She & Pinkie dedicated many years to the Catholic Church, leading bible study groups, marriage and family encounter weekends, making so many lifelong friends that became a part of an extended family.  Shirley also enjoyed taking on leadership roles and volunteering her time to organizations like the Salvation Army and Campfire Girls.  She took heart in donating to charities throughout her life, especially those to benefit children in need, as she loved children.

She loved flowers (white her favorite), going to the beach and vacationing with her family. She enjoyed spending time organizing, playing piano, collecting, clipping coupons, trying out new baking and cooking recipes, and crafting.

Shirley was witty, mischievous, and loved joking around with folks with her dry sense of humor.   She was strong-willed and had an admirable tenacity about her.  There was not much that could stop her once she'd set her mind to something.  Her strength was present in body and spirit, surviving leukemia, breast cancer and uterine cancer throughout her lifetime.

Shirley loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was affectionately known to many as "Mammaw".  Spending time and being together with her entire family was the most important thing to her and brought her the most joy.  She loved crafting and baking with the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the holidays and especially Christmas which was her favorite time.  She was accepting and forgiving and found nothing more rewarding than motivating her family to strive to be the best versions of themselves.  She also found joy in bringing happiness to others and giving an abundance of unconditional love to those she cared about. Shirley was always for the underdog and had compassion for those who struggled with life's challenges.

In all situations good, troubling, or difficult, Shirley Rose Pinkerton, Mammaw, always managed to bring a slice of heaven to everyone she loved and to those whose lives she touched.

Public Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Guardian Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m. that evening.

Final Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 21, 2023 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with the Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. that morning. Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Seaside Memorial Park.