Shirley Bonds

Van Vleet- Shirley Ann Atkinson Bonds, 86, passed away on June 19, 2021 at Generations Senior Living in Saltillo, MS. Shirley was born in Kansas City, MO on January 4, 1935 to Irby Hill Atkinson and Hazel Marie Staley Atkinson.

Her family moved to Winona, MS when she was five years old. She graduated from Winona High School in 1952 and attended two years at Belhaven College before moving to Van Vleet, Mississippi. Shirley was Miss Hospitality of Houston shortly after moving there. She met her future husband, Larry Odom Bonds Sr., while on a double date with his cousin. She was a member of Delta Gamma Fraturnity at The University of Mississippi. After graduating in 1956 with a BA in Education, she began her 32 year career with Houston Public Schools.

Shirley and Larry married on July 21, 1957, and initially lived in McCondy, MS before making their home in Van Vleet, MS. They enjoyed 53 years together, until Larry`s death in 2010. They loved to travel and see new places, but never wanted to leave Chickasaw County for long. Larry supported Shirley`s great love for animals of all kinds. She even once fed a bobcat kitten in her flowerbed. They were members of Van Vleet Baptist Church, Gideons International, Gideons Auxiliary and The Young at Heart Dance Club of Tupelo.

Visitation will be Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 12 pm until service time at 2 pm at Houston Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be on Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 2pm at Houston Funeral Home Rev. Terry Rhodes officiating.

Burial will be at Houston City Cemetery in Houston, MS.

Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Teresa Ann (Will) Newcomer of Tupelo, and Susan Marie (Dwight) Griffin of Tupelo; her son, Larry Odom (Elizabeth "Casey") Bonds Jr.; her grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Newcomer, Stuart William Newcomer, Scott Evans Griffin, Laura Shae McCracken, Shawn Caleb McCracken, Daniel McCondy Bonds, and David Odom Bonds; her great grandchildren, Amelia Tien McCracken, and Austin Ray Dodson.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Larry Odom Bonds Sr. and her brother, Irby "Red" Atkinson Jr.

Pallbearers will be Larry Bonds Jr., Daniel Bonds, David Bonds, Caleb McCracken, Scott Griffin, Stuart Newcomer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Van Vleet Baptist Church

C/O Karen Hill

537 County Road 110

Houston, MS 38851

Sanctuary Hospice

5159 Main Street

Tupelo, MS 38801

The Gideons International Processing Center
P.O. Box 97251
Washington, DC 20090-7251

The family would like to express their gratitude to all caregivers who have helped over the years.

Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.houstonfuneralhomems.com