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Shirley Margaret Jamison
05-26-2024

Shirley Margaret Jamison, 90, of Sioux Falls died on May 26, 2024. She was born October 29, 1933 to James and Vita Melvin in Tracy MN. After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1951, she attended Nursing School at the Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD, graduating in 1954. She was so proud to receive the top score that year on the South Dakota nursing exam. On December 26th, 1953 she married Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Jamison who preceded her in death in August of 2017 after nearly 64 years of laughter, dancing, support and marriage.

As an RN, Shirley compassionately cared for patients at McKennan and Sanford Hospitals, and then for over twenty-two years at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, retiring in 1996. After retirement, she quickly rekindled her passion for painting. Shirley created an untold number of oil paintings for family and friends, many of which can be found throughout the area as she often donated paintings for fundraisers. This includes the Dougherty House, where Shirley spent her last precious days.

Shirley and Bob enjoyed dancing and family and had an open-door policy that often led to spur of the moment gatherings bursting with family and friends. But perhaps her most influential role was as grandmother hosting tea parties and sleepovers. And oh, she truly loved a good home-grown tomato.

Shirley is survived by seven of her nine children: Mary (Mark) Devish, Brad (Christy), Matt (Dawn), Bryon (Gail), Suzanne (Thom) Brude, Greg (Beth), and Randy. Shirley was blessed with 24 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob, her parents, her siblings, Ronald Melvin, Robert Melvin, Roberta (Betty) Hall, Marilyn (Dolly) Gebauer, her son Richard and his wife Connie, her son Clayton and granddaughter Amanda.

Special thanks to family and friends that cared for Shirley in her home and at the Dougherty House. Visitation with the family will be Friday, May 31, 5:00 PM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home in Sioux Falls with a Scripture Vigil at 5:30 PM, followed by food and refreshments at Shirley’s home with friends and family.

Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD on a later date.

Encourage or help someone to start painting, Shirley would be proud of you.