Shirley Elaine (Brown) Bettis, 79, of Girard, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 3, 2026.

Born July 2, 1946 in Waverly, Illinois, Shirley was the daughter of August and Marjorie (Crank) Brown. She graduated from Waverly High School with the Class of 1964 and built a life centered around love, family, and simple joys.

She married the love of her life, Charles William “Bill” Bettis, on October 16, 1964, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He preceded her in death.

Shirley was a homemaker in every sense of the word-not just by title, but by heart. She created a home where everyone felt welcome, cared for, and deeply loved. For many years, she also worked in a flower shop, a perfect reflection of her gentle spirit and her love for beauty. She had a special fondness for flowers, birds-especially hummingbirds and cardinals-and the quiet happiness they brought her. She enjoyed dancing, bowling with her granddaughters, and trips to the boat, always finding joy in time spent with those she loved.

Her greatest pride and purpose was her family. She was a devoted mother to Tracey Rogers and William “Billy” Bettis, who preceded her in death, and a loving mother-in-law to Frank Rogers, also deceased.

She was a cherished grandmother to Jessie (Jefferson) Davis, Jennifer Longmeyer, Derek Longmeyer, Makenzie (Austin) Metsker, and Baileigh Bettis-Buhl, and a deeply loved great-grandmother to Ayden, Greyson, and Hudson Davis; Conor and Brandt Longmeyer; Payson Metsker; Olivia Schoondyke and Rilynn Vaughn. Nothing brought her more joy than watching her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids play sports and grow into who they were meant to be.

She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Kiers of Waverly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son; her son-in-law; and her siblings, Evelyn, Donna, Nancy, Jim, Charles, Jackie, Patty, and Kathy.

But more than anything, Shirley was the heart of her family. She was the one who made every birthday cake, who gathered everyone together, and who made sure no one ever went without love or care. She was truly the glue that held generations together-steady, selfless, and deeply devoted. She will be remembered not only for what she did, but for how she made people feel: safe, loved, and at home. She was, and always will be, our whole world.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at The Roads Church in Carlinville, with funeral services to immediately follow, officiated by BJ Vinyard. Burial will follow at Girard Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Girard Fire and Rescue or North Shore Hummingbird Sanctuary, 53 Briar Ridge Rd, Carbondale, IL 62902.

Condolences may be left at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard is in charge of arrangements.