Shirley Elaine Houston Periman born March 29, 1938 to the late John Edward Houston and Velma Elizabeth Sherrill Houston at Clear Springs, Howell County, Missouri. She passed away Thursday afternoon, April 8, 2021 at her home in Carthage.
She attended Willow Springs Missouri Public Schools until 1952 when the family re-located to Carthage, Missouri and graduated with the Class of 1956 from Carthage High School. Upon graduation from high school, she went to work as Secretary to Head Cashier at Central National Bank now U.M.B. in Carthage, Mo.
On August 31, 1956 she married (John) Tomas Periman at First Christian Church in Carthage. She continued her position at the bank until the birth of their first child in 1958. She then stayed at home raising their two children. She was active in several organizations including Carthage Jayce-ettes serving in several positions. She also belonged to several Bridge Clubs and bowled on several leagues in Carthage and Joplin, serving as Sec/Treas and President. After her children started to school, she became involved with all the school activities and served for many years as Room Mother and also President of Columbia P.T.A.
In April 1971 she transferred her membership to Fairview Christian Church, Carthage, Mo. from First Christian Church, Willow Springs, Mo. She assisted with Vacation Bible School for years and other activities for the church.
In 1968 she went to work for Flex-O-Lators, Inc. now a Leggett & Platt Company as Payroll/ Personnel Clerk and retired in 2004 after 36 years as Personnel/HR Manager. She was actively involved with the Carthage United Fund, serving as Loan Executive for Large Business for several years.
In the early 1980’s, Tom and Shirley purchased a place in a Private Resort on Grand Lake, Grove, Ok. They loved and enjoyed boating, skiing, fishing and making memories with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. They were very active and involved in the activities of the resort serving on the Board of Directors as Board Members, Vice-President and President. The members of the resort are considered to be Periman’s “second” family.
After 58 years of marriage, her husband Tom passed away March 7th, 2014. Also preceding her in death are her sister, Sharon E. Houston McConnell; her parents, John and Velma Houston; father and mother-in-law, Lewis (Bus) and Dorothy Periman; cousins, Gene Mabry, Gene Houston and Karen Houston; and brothers-in-law, Ted Morris and Dale Cannell.
She is survived by her son Craig (Shelly) Periman, Joplin, Mo; daughter, Shalaine Periman, Springfield, Mo; grandson, Adam (April) Periman, Fairview, Mo; granddaughter, Ashley Hance (Anthony) Carthage, Mo; great-grandchildren, Braxdon Tate, Bradyn Tate of Carthage, Mo, Ava Periman, Alia Periman and Alyvia Periman of Fairview. Mo; 3 step grandsons, Travis (Lindsey) Hoke, Jared Kuhns, and Jordan (Alisha) Kuhns, all of Joplin, Mo; 2 step great-granddaughter’s, Paisley Hance and Blair Kuhns, Joplin, Mo; step mother-in-law, Mary Periman, Kansas City, Mo; 2 sisters-in-law, Sandy Periman Cannell, and Marge Periman Morse, De Soto, Ks. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.
Funeral services will be held 2 pm, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. The family will receive friends from 1 pm until service time. Burial will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery, Carthage. Memorial gifts are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospitals or Carthage Crisis Center in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
