Shirley M. (Carnrike) Spears

Shirley M. Spears, 70, of Sayre, PA passed away at home on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer with her family by her side.

She was born on May 31,1953, in Waverly, NY, to the late James L., Jr. and Lenora (Perry) Carnrike.

Shirley retired from the Robert Packer Hospital and Guthrie Clinic after 30 plus years of service holding various positions throughout her career. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Shirley loved cooking and baking all kinds of treats for her grandchildren. She enjoyed going to Tioga Downs, taking trips to the beach and Lancaster County.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband with whom she shared 34 wonderful years, James F. Spears, her sister, Cathleen Teeter, mother-in-law, Rose Ball Spears, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Phillip M. and Rosemary Spears .

Shirley is survived by her children: Amy and Glenn Murrelle, Debbie and William Wood, Kandy (Blaine Woodruff II) Ferguson, Kevin and Vicky Ferguson, and Daniel (Jennifer Perry) Spears.  She was Mema to: Alex (Kassandra) Murrelle, Seth (Kylie Newman) Murrelle, Chad (Kelly) Wood, Kylie (Gary Brennan Jr.) Wood, Philip (Brittany Rorick) Wood, Jessie (Jeffrey) Kopatz-Kronz, Abigail Butters, Brooke Kopatz, Tanner Ferguson, Sophia Ferguson, RJ (Madisyn McConnell) Spears, Kyle Spears, Lucas Spears, and Emma Spears and her great grandchildren Maveric, Jayce, Myles, Olivia, Sadie, Zane, Emberlynn, Theodore, Kinleigh, Luca, and Kaeson. She is also survived by her siblings James Carnrike III, Sharon Newbury, Jerry (Kim) Carnrike, and Jane (Joe) Sindoni, sisters-in-law, Judi (James) Towner and MaryEllen (Craig) Shedd,  several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and her special friends Esther and Ken Park and Jan Millage.

A Time of Visitation for friends and family will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 2pm-3pm at the Church of the Redeemer, 201 South Wilbur Avenue, Sayre, PA.

A Celebration of Life Service will follow at the church at 3pm with Rev. Melinda Artman officiating.

Memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to: Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Road, Towanda, PA 18848, Ride 2 Survive Sullivan County, Inc., PO Box 282, Youngsville, NY 12791, or Athens United Methodist Food Pantry, 118 South Main Street, Athens, PA 18810.

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