Shirley Gilstrap

Shirley Jean (Hampton) Gilstrap, 82, of Hamer, Idaho, passed away November 27, 2012 in Murray UT from surgery related complications. She was surrounded by people who loved her. Shirley was born on February 27, 1930 to Delbert Vernal (Shay) Hampton and Kathryn Bernice (Moore) Hampton, at the old Spencer hospital in Idaho Falls. She was the 1st of three daughters including Mary Arlene & Barbara Lou. As a child she loved to roller skate and be outside, especially with the animals. She attended early elementary schools in Eagle Rock and Ammon. The family then moved to Monteview, Idaho where Shirley went to the one room Level School through the 8th grade. She attended O.E. Bell for the 9th grade and then Idaho Falls High School. In 1946 she married Earl Charles Gilstrap in Dillon, Montana, shortly after they met at a Lidy Hot Springs dance. They farmed in Monteview for many years where Shirley worked as hard as any man but never lost her ladylike dignity. She could operate almost any piece of farming equipment efficiently; carefully raising hay, spuds and grain. She was a masterful truck driver. In 1951 the couple was blessed with their only child, Kathryn Bernice. As a young family they traveled for holidays either in Montana with the Gilstraps, Idaho with the Hamptons or California with the Jacksons. In later years they purchased a feedlot in Hamer, ID where she enjoyed the cattle operation and ultimately retired. After she lost Earl in November of 1988 she found many interests and friends to occupy her time. Always social, Shirley interacted with her community and neighbors as well as her family. One of her many fond adventures was spending summers at various cattle ranches cooking for cowboy crews. Shirley was the best cook that ever lived. If you knew her then you knew she could bake like nobody else. She loved to read and always desired to learn to paint. She was a member of the West Jefferson Lady Lions, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and in the West Jefferson PTA. She is survived by her only daughter Kathy Stewart, and favorite son-in-law Mike Stewart, Granddaughters Mishelle Garner (Sean Walsh), and Sondra (Ryan) Harper, 6 Great Grandchildren, Anthony, Bailey, Courtney, Cassidy, Jack & Charly, and sisters Arlene (Ralph) Jackson and Barbara (David) Harper and 23 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on December 3, 2012, at Buck, Miller, Hahn Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 4 at the West Jefferson Cemetery, in Terreton, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Shirley's name to the Idaho Lion's Sight and Hearing Foundation at 1090 N Cole Road, Boise, Idaho 83704.

Service Details.

Service

When: Monday, December 3rd, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address: