Shirley Schulze Gilbert was born on March 6, 1933 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Rupert Philip & Oma Polley Schulze. She passed away peacefully and into her Savior’s arms on October 24, 2014 at her home in Irving, Texas surround by her beloved family. Shirley was christened at the First Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. At the age of ten, she became a member of the Church & by age 14 was singing in the Sanctuary Choir. The choir director soon took Shirley on as a pupil. At age 15, she sang her first solo from the 23rd Psalm & was also a guest soloist at the First Presbyterian Church. While Shirley attended Corpus Christi High School she continued to study piano & voice and was a member of Fidelis Tri-Hy-Y (a character standards/service club). After graduation, Shirley enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin where she received a degree in Elementary Education, was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority & privately continued to study voice while entertaining injured soldiers at Ft. Hood. Shirley also studied voice/speech at The Julliard School in New York City during the summer of 1952. Upon graduation from UT, she returned to Corpus Christi, teaching at Windsor Park & Zavala Elementary schools while continuing to study voice. She was active with her sorority alumni, the Girls Cotillion & with her church serving in the Chancel Choir, United Methodist Women, and was honorably selected as a duchess for Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Days. In the summer of 1956, Shirley sailed to Europe on the SS United States passenger liner. She toured England, Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland, & Germany before enrolling in the Mozarteum University of Music in Salzburg, Austria. Six months after her return to the states Shirley met the love of her life, Navy Lt. Dr. Francis Monroe Gilbert on a blind date. After they were married on July 20, 1957 they moved to Dallas. Soon after “Gil” completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital, they moved to Irving where Dr. Gilbert went into practice with his father, Dr. Franklin Monroe Gilbert. Shirley became a member at Gil’s church, First Methodist in Irving, and taught at Schulze Elementary. Shirley and Gil bought a home and settled for good in Irving. For many years, Shirley was a devoted member/soloist of the First Methodist Chancel Choir, United Methodist Women & an accomplished adult Sunday School teacher. Shirley was also a member of the Irving Women’s Club, holding various offices, including president, over the years. Shirley was a devoted wife to Gil and their marriage was made complete by the birth of their three sons. Devoted to their precious boys, Shirley kept busy trying to keep one step ahead and she loved them unconditionally. As they have grown into manhood the love they received in their home is evident in their own lives & has returned to honor their mother and father. Shirley loved working jigsaw & crossword puzzles, but her favorite pastime was avidly reading spiritual books, including Barclay’s Bible Commentaries. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law, Rupert Philip Jr. and Ann Schulze. She is survived by her loving husband, Gil, her three sons & their families: Jere Lane, Cindy, Michael & Jenifer Gilbert of Irving, Mark Philip & Gail Gilbert of Grand Prairie, Gregory Monroe, Leslie, Paige & William Gilbert of Plano. Nieces Katherine Lucke of Houston & Elizabeth Schulze of Los Angeles. Shirley leaves her legacy from 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love”. A Family Burial Service will occur at Noon on Monday, October 27, 2014 at Seaside Memorial Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas. A Memorial Service will take place at First United Methodist Church, 211 West Third, in Irving 75061, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Memorials may made to the church.

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