Veechel “Shirley” Farrell

Veechel Vira “Shirley” Farrell passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the age of 88. The youngest of seven and the only daughter, Veechel was born to Samuel Mack Shirley and Mattie Hunt Shirley on May 3, 1921.

Born and raised in Sayre, Okla., she graduated from New Liberty High School. She married her husband, Edward H. Farrel, in 1941

.The pair later moved to Austin with their two sons, Harold “Mack” Farrel and Edward “Eddie” M. Farrel.

Veechel held many careers throughout her life: as a baker; a talented arts-and-crafts master; a quilt maker; and a drapery maker. But the job she most cherished was her role as mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Known to her family as “Mama” or “Granny,” Veechel decided later in her life to go by “Shirley,” she said, because she got tired of having to spell Veechel.

Always one to speak her mind, Shirley usually had a laugh to go along with her comments – unless you were in trouble.

She is survived by her sons, Mack and wife, Jean, and Eddie and wife, Molly; her grandchildren: Sam Farrell and Edie McKelvey, Brenda Johnson and husband, Kevin; Amy Cantwell and husband, Roger; and Renata and Ron Logsdon; and great-grandchildren: Leslie Farrel-Davila, Annabelle Cantwell, Madison Cantwell, Wesley Johnson and Karen Farrel.

A visitation with the family was held from 8 a.m. – noon on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Eeds Funeral Home. A graveside service followed at 1 p.m. at the Lockhart Municipal Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Shirley’s memory be made to the Golden Age Home Assisted Living Activity Fund in Lockhart.

Funeral arrangements with Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. (512) 398-2343.