Shirley M. Proctor

Shirley Proctor of Harvester, Missouri passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband Odell Proctor, daughter Brenda Proctor, and great-granddaughter Madden. She is survived by her cherished family friend Chris (Jay) Wilkinson, her estranged son Keith Proctor, and her grandchildren Kyle McCorkell, Shaunna Wilkinson (Evan Ross), Kayla Henke (David), Aaron McCorkell, along with many great grandchildren.

Born on November 12th, 1934, she spent much of her childhood during the Great Depression and later World War II moving between St. Louis and smaller towns in Illinois and Missouri. She spoke fondly of the days she lived with her grandparents in St. Genevieve and the summers there where she picked watermelons.

It was during one of her family’s moves to southern Missouri that she met Odell Proctor. Only 17 and 18 then, they continued dating even after she moved back to St. Louis. They married in 1953 and celebrated over 57 years together before Odell passed in 2010. They built a home in Harvester off Robert Drive, where she lived from 1966 - 2021. Shirley was a very talented cook, and everyone knew her for her green beans, potato casserole, and Christmas punch.

A lifelong romantic, she was a lover of all stories with happy endings. Every afternoon for decades, she watched General Hospital. A woman of simple pleasures, she enjoyed chocolate, Bunco, long afternoons outside, and bunny figurines.

Her role as grandma, often called Grams by her grandchildren, was what her family knew and loved her for most. She gave the biggest hugs even when all her grandchildren surpassed her in height. In her last month of life, her blue eyes would sparkle when she recognized her grandchildren or great-grandchildren at her bedside. Her family remembers childhood visits that included McDonald’s trips, homemade donuts, and hot chocolate in bed. She was a wonderful and sweet woman who remained full of light and love until her very last days.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Shirley's memory to the donor's choice.