Shirley Sue Casey, age 85 of Leslie, Arkansas died on Monday, September 25, 2023 at her home. She was born in Buena Vista, Tennessee on September 28, 1937 to Grover Jackson Joyner Sr. and Ila Nell Brinkley Joyner. She married the love of her life, Elton Lewis Casey, on October 1, 1955. To this union was born four children, Jeff, Melinda, Cathy and Jody.

In her lifetime she had several interesting jobs. She was a telephone operator in Memphis where often on her break she would walk down the street and listen to Elvis Presley recording his songs.

After moving to Arkansas, she worked as a meter maid for the Little Rock Police Department.

She later graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She then started her career of 39 years as Center Director and teacher at the Leslie Headstart Center. Many children passed through those doors. She loved all the children and their parents.

She was a member of the Leslie Baptist Church.

She loved gardening and raising flowers. She enjoyed sports, especially the Razorbacks.

She loved her dear friends and neighbors, Mitzi, Ed and Garfield.

Survivors include her children, Jeffery Louis Casey of Breaux Bridge, LA, Melinda Sue Ragland of Marshall and Catherine Leigh Truax (Ray) of Panama City, FL; grandchildren, Jason Ragland (Carrie), Tiffany Horton (Brent), Mark Casey, Josh Casey (Christy), Crystal Angelle, Jacob Casey (Gabriel) and Ethan Truax; great-grandchildren, Allison Teague (Nathan), Natalie Ragland, Kaelyn Horton, Asher Horton, Bailey Vice, Alyssa Casey, Brille Casey, Carter Casey, Conner Casey ,Cooper Casey, Skylar Russell and Gabriella Angelle; great-great grandchildren, Evelyn Seaux and Rowland Vice and one on the way; brother, Charles Joyner; and sisters, Joyce Hutchinson, Boo Johnson and Wren Campbell.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ila Nell Joyner; husband, Elton Lewis Casey who passed away in 2002; son, Jody Casey; and brothers, Stanley Joyner, Grover Joyner and Buddy Joyner.

Graveside services for her were 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Kuykendall Cemetery in Leslie, Arkansas with Bro. Jason Ragland officiating. A visitation for her was held at 11:00 until 12:00 p.m. Thursday morning preceding the graveside service at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas. Pallbearers were Josh Casey, Jacob Casey, Mark Casey, Nathan Teague, Brandon Housley and Brent Horton. Honorary pallbearers were Ray Valverde, Eric Yeager, Mike Truax and Ethan Truax.