Shirley Jean Milner

MILNER, SHIRLEY JEAN (1934 ~ 2021). The following is an obituary for Shirley Jean Milner, spouse of former Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Joe Milner. The obituary was provided by Ramsey Funeral Home of Georgetown.

Shirley Jean Lively died peacefully at her home in Georgetown, Texas in the company of the love her of her life, her husband of 67 years, Joe Milner, and their beloved dog, Buddy.

Shirley was born in Palestine, Texas, the second eldest of 7 children, graduated from Palestine High School in 1952, and earned her Associates Degree from Henderson County Junior College. Shirley met and married Joe Milner in 1953 and began her career as an administrative assistant in an attorney’s office. She was later employed by a school district and once they relocated to Austin, Texas in 1968, she found her niche and began working at Community National Bank. She moved to First City Bank where she began to work her way up the corporate ladder until she retired as a Mortgage Loan Officer and Vice President.

Upon her retirement, Shirley volunteered her time at Seton Hospital in Austin, where she held many offices during the 15 years she served. She also volunteered her expertise with numbers to prepare taxes for seniors, and gained great joy volunteering her time with the Special Olympics. Shirley enjoyed and had success playing mixed doubles tennis with her husband, Joe, in numerous leagues in Austin. After her tennis career, she took up golf. As a proud member of the Great Hills Ladies Golf Association for 22 years, Shirley served in various official capacities including President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and organized numerous tournaments. She was very active in the Austin Area Women’s Golf Association, where she also served in several offices. She absolutely loved volunteering her time with The First Tee of Greater Austin, inspiring young boys and girls to play golf.

Her strong belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior guided her every decision, grounded her family, and formed her friendships. Shirley was a faithful member of Clay Road Baptist in Houston, Crestview Baptist Church in Austin, then Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, and finally First Baptist Church of Georgetown.

Shirley dearly loved her Husband, Colonel Joe Milner of Georgetown, her daughter, Melonie Milner-Mills of Georgetown, and her Son-In-Law, Jim Mills of Georgetown, and her canine companion, Buddy. She is also survived by her brother, A.D. Lively of College Station, Sister - in - law, Patsye Lively of Austin, granddaughter Madison Copeland (Brandon) of Kilgore, great grandson J.T. Tapler and great granddaughter Jossalyn Tapler of Kilgore, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Deward Lively, Ruby Zuelette Dunlap, and Gladys Turner Lively, brothers Morris Lively, Gary Lively, and Terry Michael Lively, and sisters Linda Baxley and Virginia Lively.

Shirley was an amazing woman who could accomplish anything she wanted. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, a wonderful hostess, and loved square dancing, playing games, and traveling. She was very fond of golf, fishing, and camping, especially at Inks Lake.

Shirley was kind, generous, selfless, humble, forgiving and thoughtful, and a Christian lady in every sense of the word. She loved her family and her friends with her whole heart, and we are grateful and blessed to have had her in our lives.

A private graveside service will be held April 16, 2021 at The Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at First Baptist Church Georgetown, 1333 W. University Ave. Georgetown, TX, 78628, on May 8, 2021, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The First Tee of Greater Austin at www.firstteeaustin.org or Texas Special Olympics at https://support.specialolympics.org/texas, or the humane society or shelter of your choice.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.