Shirley Allene Sprout

Shirley Allene was born on September 23, 1926 in Denver, Colorado to George and Viola Ramer. She was the big sister of Georgia Ann by five years. George and Viola moved their family often in search of work. Shirley attended 11 schools in 10 years until they arrived in California. In California, she was happy to attend Narbonne High School where in her junior year, she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Sprout, who had wavy auburn hair and freckled elbows.

Shirley and Dick were married on September 7, 1947 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Torrance, California. Shirley worked as a draftsperson during the war, laying out ship parts for construction. Following the end of the war, the company closed and she went to work in the local bank. Dick worked at National Supply Company as a machinist and then decided to make a career change. He joined the Torrance Fire Department. After that career move, Dick and Shirley decided to build their own home on 239th Street in Torrance and to start their family. Shirley then became a full time mother to their two daughters, Kathlene and Geraldine.

Shirley was a wonderful mother, homemaker, seamstress, artist and avid reader. Shirley enjoyed sewing and made most of the clothes that Gerri and Kathy wore when they were young. She did continue to use her sewing skills by making the bridesmaid dresses for both of her daughters' weddings. She designed and made Gerri's wedding gown, which her granddaughter Alexis wore at her wedding. As an artist, Shirley enjoyed oil paints and ceramics. Many of her framed scenery pictures hang in her children's home along with lots of fun ceramics. Reading was a passion of Shirley's and she had collection of over 200 paperback books. Together, Shirley and Dick enjoyed traveling and camping. They owned a series of trailers and finally a motorhome. They traveled and camped all over the United States with their children, and later their grandchildren.

In 1979, Dick retired as Deputy Chief of the Torrance Fire Department. They sold their home in Torrance and moved to San Clemente, California. They became the proud grandparents of Jason, Matthew, J.R. and Alexis. Being grandparents filled most of their time but Shirley and Dick continued to travel. They even ventured to Asia, when Gerri and family moved overseas. Shirley was determined to see where her precious family was living. They visited Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.

In 2007, Shirley lost her constant companion, Dick, to leukemia. After a year, Shirley and Kathy made the difficult decision to move her closer to Kathy. She set up home at the Inn at the Park, an assisted living facility in Irvine. Shirley and Kathy spent the next years taking road trips to favorite locations such as Pismo Beach and Anza Borrego State Park. They enjoyed that special time together.

On November 23, 2014, Shirley fell in her apartment and broke her left femur. The trauma proved too much for Shirley and God called her home on January 7, 2015 to be with Dick and Gerri. Shirley is survived by her daughter Kathy, and her wonderful grandchildren, Jason and Krista, Matthew, J.R. and Cui Mei, Alexis and Adam. Shirley was thrilled with the arrival of her first great grandson, Grady in May 2012 and was looking forward to her first great granddaughter in late January 2015.