Shirley Atwell Pagones

Shirley Atwell Pagones died at her Slidell home Friday, Oct. 24 after a long life filled with love and laughter, her son and daughter at her side.  She was 92.

Shirley was born in rural Missouri on Sept. 7, 1933 and had a happy early childhood with her older sister Norma and baby brother Ron, who was like a real live doll to her.  She spent her older childhood and teens in St. Louis where she rode the streetcar to school, graduating from Soldan-Blewett High School.  She attended business school and went to work as a bookkeeper before marrying James F. Pagones at 19 and being whisked off to a life of adventure as he pursued his career in the Air Force. 

They were blessed with two children, James H. Pagones and Lisa Pagones Trumble, and the family lived in more than six states and Germany, where they were able to travel all over Europe.  After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, they settled in Dallas, where he worked for Electronic Data Systems.  After her husband’s untimely death, she divided time between Dallas and Slidell, always helping out and playing a central role in the lives of her five grandchildren, who adored her.

Shirley spent her life doing for others, especially her family and always put others ahead of herself.  Her sense of humor and ready laugh were a joy to those who knew her.  She hosted memorable parties during her husband’s career and  played an active role in her neighborhood’s civic club.  She always made her children's friends feel loved and welcomed.  Her children’s friends called her their second mother.

She loved to travel, visiting many wonderful places with friends and family, and was a music lover, from old standards to Motown to the Beatles.  She was also an animal lover who spoiled a series of beloved dachshunds.  Shirley made friends everywhere she went and will be dearly missed.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Pagones; her parents, Wilma and Raymond Atwell, and her sister, Norma King.

She is survived by her son, James H. Pagones (Sara) of Slidell; daughter Llisa Pagones Trumble (Mark) of Double Oak, Texas; brother Ronald Atwell (Karen) of Mt. Dora, Florida; granddaughter Dorian Evans (Ian) of Richmond, Vermont; grandsons James F. Pagones of Slidell, Stephen Pagones (Julia) of New Orleans, Michael Pagones (Emily) of New Orleans and Alex Trumble of Double Oak, Texas.  She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Eleanor and Vera Evans of Richmond, Vermont and Isaac Pagones of New Orleans.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 7th Street, Slidell, 70458, with visitation in the church fellowship hall at 1 p.m.  Interment will be in Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Ozone Music Foundation ozonemusic.org or World Wildlife Fund worldwildlife.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Atwell Pagones, please visit our floral store.