Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Teague Chronicle
April 3, 2008



MERL MARSH SHIVERS

Merl Marsh Shivers, 82, of Mexia, Texas, passed from this life on March 28, 2008, at the 
Haven Nursing Home in Mexia. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday, March 30, 
2008, at the First United Methodist Church of Mexia with the Reverend Brad Brittain 
officiating. Burial followed the services at Wortham Cemetery.

Merl was born on May 19, 1925, to Joe and Bertice Marsh in Flynn, Texas and spent the 
majority of her youth in Mexia where she attended Mexia High School. She received her 
bachelor’s degree in Teaching from Sam Houston State University in 1946 and a master’s 
degree in 1956. She married her husband of 59 years, James Shivers, in September of 
1948 and moved back to Mexia to spend the majority of her teaching career, live on the 
family farm and raise her family.

Known to most as Mrs. Shivers because of her long teaching career of 38 years in 
Graford, Banquete, Lewisville, Fair Oaks, Point Enterprise, Forest Glade and Mexia 
Middle School her influence passed through two and three generations of students in the 
Mexia area.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Mexia where she 
taught Sunday school, worked tirelessly in the kitchen and was a faithful member of the 
Upper Room Sunday School Class. Upon retirement she and her husband James enjoyed 
many years of traveling and were active in square dancing and line dancing groups in the 
area She spent many years helping with Hospice where she was recognized as volunteer 
of the year. She loved people and volunteering her help throughout the community.

The love of her life was her family of which she is survived by her husband James C. 
Shivers of Mexia, her son and daughter-in law Terry Don and Janise Shivers of Mexia; 
her grandson Chris Shivers and special friend Kendra Woods and her great grandson 
Kaison; her sister Wanette Gafford of College Station; her brother-in-law Lawrence 
Shivers, Jr. of Abilene, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Billy and Byron (Beans) 
Bates of Dallas and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Lloyd Dillard Marsh.

Mrs. Shivers' nephews served as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice of Mexia or First United Methodist 
Church of Mexia.

Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or to sign the guestbook.

Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home of Mexia was in charge of the arrangements.