Ms. Shirley J. Gregory

Shirley J. Gregory (Ruby Nell) was born July 21, 1942, in Woodlawn, Texas, to Earnest Leonard and Eunice C. (Hurd) Leonard. She was the second child born to this union and the little sister to her big brother Elisha ‘Bob’ Leonard. Shirley departed this life on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the age of 81 years old. Shirley accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Texas. Shirley attended Morning Star Elementary school in Woodlawn, Texas and after moving to Kansas City, Missouri, she continued her education in the Kansas City Public School District, graduating from Manual High School in 1960 where she took up cosmetology as a vocational class. She later studied at the Penn Valley Community Center and Weaver Realty, LLC. Shirley was married to Scott J. Gregory, Sr. in 1961, this marriage was dissolved along with two other marriages later on to Lawrence Brown and Carl Jackson. Shirley had four lovely children, two sons (Scott and Brandon), two daughters (Tracye and Robin) and one bonus daughter (Tamala Holland). Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest Leonard and Eunice C. (Hurd) Leonard-High, Rev. Claude H. High, Sr., Scott J. Gregory, Sr., Tamala Holland, and Lawrence Brown. Shirley, who always referred to herself as a Preacher’s Kid (P.K.), was a faithful and active member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Claude H. High, Sr. (41 years), as well as Rev. Calvin Buford. She was involved in every aspect of the Music Ministry including the Pastor’s Choir, made up of young adults, who recorded an album alongside Rev. Claude H. High, Sr. entitled, “The Strengthening Angel.” She also participated in a gospel singing group created by the late Sherman Johnson. She later moved her church membership to the cherished Haven of Rest Baptist Church. When her health declined, she continued to participate on the Haven of Rest Sunday morning conference calls, singing, testifying, and praising the Lord until her death. Shirley was employed full-time for the Missouri State Employment Security-Immigration Department for 30+ years, retiring in the year 2000. She worked part-time as a realtor for Newsome Realty, business office cleaning, and also worked with special needs clients from time to time. Shirley loved her family and she especially loved planning and preparing for family gatherings. She would always encourage us to keep moving forward when her health did not allow her to attend various family functions. She loved traveling, ONLINE SHOPPING, talking on the phone, watching westerns on TV, scrolling through and commenting on Facebook, going to garage/estate sales, gardening and landscaping, and going to the city market. She was a very crafty and creative person. She never met a stranger and she seemed to know SOMEBODY everywhere she went. To those who knew her well…Shirley never gave advice – she told you what to do! Shirley (Ruby Nell) leaves behind to cherish her memory four children: Tracye L. Gregory, Scott ‘Bullett’ J. Gregory, Jr., Robin C. Gregory, and Brandon ‘Hunk of Love’ T. Gregory (Nicole); Grandchildren – Anthony E.I. Webb II (Oklahoma), Antoinette ‘My Nettie’ Deloney, April ‘Meshedi’ Gregory-Williams, Lyonel Gregory, Staci Tyson (Kenneth), Sierra Gregory, Jermaine N. ‘Spunky’ Gregory (Morgan), Michael L. ‘Pooh Poo’ Baldwin-Gregory (Carmen), Michela Lemons, Brandon ‘Suga’ J. Gregory, Maliyah ‘NeNe’ Gregory, Nalani Hampton-Williamson, Zechariah Kelly, Briella Gregory and Brandon Gregory III; eighteen great-grandchildren; aunts Ernestine Hurd (Los Angeles, CA) and Sandra Roberts Brooks (Walter-Mansfield, TX); two special daughters, LaReda Hayes (Arvid) and Tyra Stovall; “How’s my girl doing?” Renita Strong; and countless cousins, friends, beloved Haven of Rest and St. Paul church family members and special neighbors. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at11:00am at Haven of Rest Baptist Church Visitation 9:00am-11:00am at the church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Ms. Shirley J. Gregory

July 21, 1942 - December 10, 2023