In Loving Memory of Shirley Ann Mitchell

1936 - 2025

With hearts heavy with sorrow but filled with immense gratitude for a life so vibrantly and lovingly lived, we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Shirley Ann Wrinkle-Mitchell. Shirley departed this world on June 7, 2025, in Burleson, Texas, surrounded by the same kind of love she had spent a lifetime giving to others. She was 89 years old.

Shirley was born on April 1, 1936, in the close-knit community of Azle, Texas, where bluebonnets bloom in the spring and front porch laughter rings out into the dusk. She was the treasured daughter of Charlie Vivian Wrinkle and Ruby Dolphy Bradshaw-Wrinkle, whose values of hard work, creativity, and family devotion were beautifully instilled in their only daughter. Growing up in Azle and nearby Reno, Texas, Shirley spent her formative years under wide Texas skies, grounded in faith and surrounded by a large and loving family. From an early age, she attended Walnut Creek Baptist Church, where her sense of purpose and her enduring spirit of service began to take root.

Shirley was a woman of extraordinary intelligence, resourcefulness, and heart—a rare and radiant combination that she carried with her into every stage of her life. She was the kind of woman who could move mountains for the people she loved—and often did. With her characteristic grit and grace, she eventually made her home in Fort Worth, Texas, where she blossomed into the beautiful, spirited, and devoted woman the world would come to know and love.

For thirty proud years, Shirley was a devoted teacher's assistant in the Birdville Independent School District, shaping young minds with the kind of warmth, patience, and ingenuity that only a truly gifted educator possesses. She cherished her role as a teacher, and in her classroom, each child was seen, heard, and celebrated. She held her work in the highest regard and viewed education as not only a profession, but as a calling—one that she fulfilled with distinction and joy.

Outside of the classroom, Shirley's greatest joy and deepest passion was her family. She was, simply put, the best mother a child could hope for. Her love was ever-present, unwavering, and fierce in the most beautiful way. She poured herself into the lives of her children and grandchildren, never missing a recital, ball game, school event, or quiet moment when comfort was needed. She wasn't just present—she was the heartbeat of the family, the constant, the nurturer, the cheerleader, and the safe place for all who loved her.

She was a dedicated "stage mom" to her daughter, Trena, faithfully attending dance practices and recitals with pride beaming from her eyes. Her passion for the arts extended beyond support—Shirley herself loved to sing and tap dance, often turning her home into a joyful stage, where the soundtrack was her laughter and the tap of her feet echoing down the hallway. She also took great pride in her son Trent's journey through Cub Scouts, becoming a beloved "Cub Scout Mom" who approached her son's adventures with the same unshakable enthusiasm and commitment she brought to everything else in her life.

Shirley's creativity was as vast as the Texas sky. She had a deep love for painting, pottery, and all things artistic. Never one to be limited by what she hadn't been taught, she taught herself to play both the piano and guitar—just one more testament to her determination and boundless intellect. Her artistry wasn't just in the things she made, but in the way she lived. Whether through the warmth of her embrace, the melodies she coaxed from the keys, or the vibrant brushstrokes she left behind, Shirley created beauty wherever she went.

As a grandmother, Shirley's love only grew deeper. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a passion that knew no limits. In her eyes, each of them was a masterpiece, and she cherished every moment she was able to spend with them. Babysitting was never a chore for Shirley—it was a joy, a privilege, and a calling she answered with open arms and a heart full of love. Her home was their sanctuary, filled with cookies, music, laughter, and unconditional affection.

To know Shirley was to know the embodiment of selflessness. She would do anything—absolutely anything—for her family. Her love was not measured in grand gestures but in the quiet, steadfast acts of devotion that defined her every day. She gave without asking. She listened without judging. She loved without limits.

She is survived by her devoted son, Trent Bockman and his loving wife Annette; her cherished daughter, Trena Hunt and her husband Kyle; and by her adoring grandchildren: Cole Bockman and his wife Melissa, Wade Hunt and his partner Kait Oaks, Kyla Novak and her husband Josh, Garrett Bockman and his wife Witney, and Drew Bockman.  Her legacy continues in her great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her golden years: Audrey, Kinley, Conner, and Collin. She also leaves behind a host of extended family and dear friends who were blessed by her kindness, wisdom, and radiant spirit.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Charlie and Ruby Wrinkle, and by her four treasured brothers: R.V., C.V., Jimmy, and Sammy, with whom she shared a lifetime of stories, laughter, and memories now etched in eternity.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Azle & Lake Worth Funeral Home Chapel, located on the peaceful grounds of Azleland Cemetery. It is only fitting that she should be honored in the very community where her story began and where her spirit will forever reside.

Though her voice has quieted, the echoes of her love, her wisdom, and her joy will forever sing in the hearts of those she leaves behind. We will remember her in the songs she sang, in the art she created, and in every tender moment we now hold as sacred memory. Shirley Ann Mitchell lived a life filled with purpose, love, and joy—and what a glorious life it was.