Shirley Fay (Cook) Hovis

Shirley Fay Hovis, age 80, of Greenville, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on October 9, 2025. She was born on May 29, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the late Odell and Bertie (Garland) Cook.

On August 30, 1963, Shirley married the love of her life, Melvin Hovis, at Hurricane Fork Church. They shared more than 61 years together before his passing on December 18, 2024.

Shirley began her working years at the Hat Factory in Marble Hill for over a decade before transitioning into banking, a career she enjoyed for nearly 35 years. She started at The Bank of Piedmont and later joined People's Bank, where she was known for her hard work, kindness, and dedication.

After retiring from banking, Shirley embarked on a new adventure with her sister, Glenda, transforming spaces by removing wallpaper and painting homes, schools, and businesses. She truly loved to wallpaper, so much so that she even taught her daughter, Tammy, all her tips and tricks and they had a wonderful time. Together, Shirley and Glenda often worked late into the night, only to wake up early and do it all over again. In her 70s, she was still climbing scaffolding to paint the gym at Greenville School and did such a beautiful job that the school asked them to paint the rest of the high school rooms as well.

Shirley had a special talent for transforming her own home too, whenever she got the urge to paint or redecorate, furniture would start moving and a new project would begin. Shirley also had a love for flowers and working in her flower garden was her happy place. She could outwork just about anyone and did it all with that unmistakable grin that meant a little playful mischief wasn’t far behind.

She loved camping with Melvin, spending weekends outdoors whenever possible. She also enjoyed visiting flea markets, antiquing, and doing arts and crafts. In her later years, she worked for Serenity House Floral & More with her dear friend, Gail Nanney, which suited her creative spirit perfectly.

Shirley was a faithful member of New Home Church in Clubb, Missouri.

She is survived by her daughter, Tammy (Paul) McWilliams of Poplar Bluff, MO; brothers, Donny (Sue Ann) Cook; sisters, Glenda (Alan) Cook and Lela “Fern” Cory; grandchildren, Austin McWilliams of Salt Lake City, UT, Emily McWilliams of Columbia, MO, and Catherine Batson of Ridgway, CO; and her amazing neighbors, Marty and Laurie Yount, who were truly like family..because everyone needs a Marty and Laurie in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; and brother, Bobby Cook.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, MO. Visitation will be from 12:00pm - 2:00pm with Funeral Service beginning at 2:00pm on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Burial to follow at Grassy Friendship Cemetery.