Shirley Kuykendall Cates, age 94, of Charleston, died Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Bertrand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Bertrand, MO.

Born July 30, 1930, at Biggers, Arkansas, to the late H.A. Kuydendall and Mertie Yancy Kuykendall, she moved with her family at a young age to the Lusk Chapel Community in Scott County, MO, just north of Charleston where her father began farming.  Shirley lived in Mississippi County her entire life and was retired from Burkhart Foam in Cairo, Il.   She was a faithful member of the Charleston Church of Christ for many years.

On July 10, 1946, she married Jearl Ray Cates, who preceded her in death September 19, 1997.

Surviving are her children, Donald (Sharon) Cates of Anniston, Larry Joe (Clara) Cates of Okeechobee, FL and Sandra Darlene (Randy) Frazier of Judsonia, AR; nine grandchildren, Audra, Larry Joe, Jr., Sabrina, Summer, Callie, Randal, John, Michael and David; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; her brother, Jay Kuykendall; her sister, Linda Rogers, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins she loved dearly.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her grandsons, Paul Jason Cates and Lance Cates; her brothers and sisters, Audrey Kuykendall, Harmon Kuykendall, Shirrell Kuykendall, Almous Kuykendall, Russell Kuykendall, Carmen Kuykendall, Margie Coffer, Betty Schatte, Elzie Pemberton, Leo Pemberton, Ralph Pemberton, Tom Pemberton, Arvellia King and Wanda Salyer.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2024, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Pete Nuthak will officiate.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to Children's Home, Inc., 5155 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.