We rejoice in the life of "SAM" (for her initials, and as she was affectionately called by her children), the beloved third child of Mary Lovette and James Perry Moragne, Sr. For all that were blessed to have known or met her, the mere words that follow can never capture her genuine essence and spirit.
With enchanting hazel eyes and a warm, but shy smile, she evoked both physical and spiritual beauty. Shirley approached each task, whether personal or professional,with resolution and grace.
Shirley was born on a cold winter's day in Due West, South Carolina on December 27, 1956 at her paternal Grandmother, Julia Valentine-Moragne, home. Over the next five (5) years, Shirley and her three siblings at the time: Elayne Barbara, James Perry, Jr and Michael L'von, enjoyed the carefree and slow-paced country life on the farm. Their Grandma Julia, a retired school teacher, and her three (3) sisters raised the children for a few years while their mother and father looked for work in Chicago.
Securing employment as an African-American man in any part of the country in the late 1950's was not easy, eventhough her father had a college degree and was an Army Veteran. After an exhaustive three and a half year search of dead-end jobs Shirley's father, James P. Moragne, Sr. (known as J.P.) found work as a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver in 1960, and sent for the children in January 1961. By this time her mother, Mary, had secured a clean three bedroom apartment in the Clarence Darrow housing projects, held steady work at the Wiebolt's Department Store and given birth to a daughter, Wanda Joyce.
When Shirley and the other children arrived, it was a transition to get comfortable with idea of living in the "big city." Unfortunately, after a week of reuniting with their parents and meeting a new baby sister, J.P died of unknown causes in his sleep. He was 31 years old. Mary, only 28 years old herself, continued on and raised the five young children ranging in age from 1 to 9 by herself.
Shirley attended Donough Elementary school where she excelled in all her classwork and extra curricular activities such as ballet, piano and choir. She then attended Kenwood High School in Hyde Park, Illinois where she was a member of the band (alto-saxaphone) and played girls basketball. Shirley also worked in the summer as a babysitter and during her Senior year as an office clerk for the Chicago Osetheopathic Hospitals.
Graduating with honors and receiving acceptance into Beloit College in Wisconsin, Shirley put her dreams of college and a military career in the Army on hold to marry Charles Barksdale II in 1975. Later that year she gave birth to a son Charles Harrison Barksdale III. She continued to work at Chicago Oestheopathic Hospital and quickly rose through the ranks in the Human Resources Department.
In July 1977, Shirley and Charles Barksdale welcomed a daughter, Krysti Jovan, into the family. Although their marriage ended in 1980, Shirley remained committed to allowing her children to have a healthy relationship with their father. Over the next ten years, Shirley attended Olive-Harvey School of Nursing in Chicago, became active in her childrens school and found a new career in the finance and banking industries.
Shirley began working as a front desk clerk in the Student Loan Department at the Citibank Corporation, and quickly was promoted to Supervisor earning accolades, bonuses and trips for her outstanding job performance and management skills. In 1991, Shirley accomplished a long-time dream of purchasing her own home in the Beverly/Morgan Park community. She was extremely proud of her neat and well-cared for three (3) bedroom bungalow in the City's middle-class far southwest side neighborhood known for histroic homes, good schools and rolling hills. She was well-liked by her neighbors and could be seen walking her beloved Shih-Tsu pup, Lil Bitty, around the local High School track.
Shirley was so dedicated to her community that she started the first neighborhood block club, drafted the by-laws and served four (4) terms as its President. Her efforts didn't just stop at providing acitivies for the neighborhood youth, but rallying the Alderman for needed street improvements, attending Police Bet meetings and organizing fund-raisers and events. She was recognized by the local Planning Association for her grassroots approach to mobilizing civic participation as well as by the Mayor of Chicago.
During this time, Shirley also gained employment with the CSX Rail Road Line and saw her first born, Charles, graduate High Schhol and go off to the United States Navy. Shirley then began to work part-time at a local deli to help save up for her daughter's college tuition. After a brief stint as a Customer Service representative for Citizen's Utility Company in Lemont, Illinois, Shirley transitioned her career and neighborhood involvement to focus more on her religious faith and helping the elderly. She also enjoyed being a Grandmother to her grandsons, Charles, Anthony and Will.
She joined the Living Word Ministries Church in Park Forest, Illinois and started working in Real Estate and Mortgage industry helping the elderly secure financial freedom through Reverse Mortgages. However, after several company buy-outs and reorganizations, Shirley found herself unable to maintain the mounting expense of her older home and moved to a rental unit in Des Plaines, Illinois. In 2003, she began working as a Customer Service Representative at the United Gypsum Corporation (USG) and part-time at TCF Bank.
Shirley began to thrive again, travel and found new friends in the Church and as a member of the QuickStar program. In September 2004, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cervical Cancer and was informed her chances fo survival were less than 40%. Shirley continued to profess her faith in God and sought out alternative cures for her disease. She finally settled for treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois and underwent radiation and chemotheraphy in November 2004.
By her side were her son, Charles, who lived with her and her daughter, Krysti. They both shared in her daily care and transport to and from the hospital for treatments, transfusions, check-ups and surgeries. In February 2005, she was told her cancerous tumor was no longer detectable and in remission.
After a short recovery and her brief return back to work at USG, Shirley was told that her cancer had returned and in August 2005 she was admitted into the CTCA hospital for intensive chemotheraphy treatment. With periods of sever suffering and seemingly great progress, Shirley ended her tumultous battle with this vicious disease on December 14, 2005 at the Glenbrook ENH Hospital in Glenview, Illinois, just two weeks shy of her 49th birthday.
But before leaving this earth, GOD blessed her with the ultimate gift - having her family by her side to express their love and say their final good-byes. Present were: Mary (Mother), Wanda (Sister), Chance (Nephew), James & Sylvia (Brother & Sister-in-Law), Elayne (Sister, enroute from New York), Willie (Son-in-Law), Will (Grandson), Charles (Son) and Krysti (Daughter). Shirley was also blessed with the presence of her unborn granddaughter, Morgan Annette.
She lived her live and faced her death with great dignity, poise and natural grace. Her unselfish nature did not allow for self-pity, and she continued to share and give of herself in many ways until her last second on this earth.
