On Monday, July 27, 2026, Shirley Ann Deal-Clark, went home to be with our Lord at The Waters of Rockport Nursing Facility, in Rockport, IN, at the age of 91. She was born on November 21, 1934, and attended Western High School. She had accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and joined Fourth Street Baptist Church, in Owensboro, KY.

She moved to Evansville, IN in 1954 and was married to the late Melvin Collins. Years later, on January 23, 1972 she was married to the late Leslie Clark, the man of her dreams. They were married for 17 wonderful years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Motee and Nathaniel Deal, four brothers, Nathaniel Deal, II, Benjamin A. Deal, Sherman Deal, Eugene C. Deal, Sr., three sisters, Motee “Tootsie” Deal-Liggins, Mary A. Deal-Glover, and Modestine Deal-Bibbs-Howard.

While living in Evansville, she loved to bowl, and had played on various teams with many close friends and winning bowling tournaments. She was employed as a private housekeeper for the Margie Bradley family for 20 years, the American Legion Post 354 in Evansville as a Bar Maid for 40 plus years, and a member of the local Ladies Auxiliary Unit.

Shirley and Les loved to entertain family and friends, because of her friendly, compassionate, and out-going personality, Shirley was known as the life of the party. She loved music, especially the Blues. She never met a stranger and had a kind and giving heart to just about everyone she came in contact with. Many times, she would see a less fortunate stranger on the street and would give them a monetary gift. She would say, “God has blessed me and I want to bless someone else.” When Family and friends would tell her, “I love you,” she would always respond back with her famous, “I love you more.” In recent years, she was called “Mom” by a large number of her younger close friends.

She was a resident of One Park Place, and also Morning Pointe, assisted living facilities in Owensboro before she was transferred to The Waters of Rockport Nursing Facility in Rockport, IN.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Shirley will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation services will be on Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 4-6 p.m. at McFarland Funeral Home, Inc., 1001 West 5th Street, Owensboro, and on Monday August 3, 2026 beginning at 10 a.m. at Fourth Street Baptist Church, 821 West Fourth Street, Owensboro. Immediately following, at 11 a.m. will be her Celebration of Life service. Burial will be at Rosehill-Elmwood Cemetery, 1300 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY.

Please leave memories and condolences for the family at www.mcfarlandfh.com.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to McFarland Funeral Home, Inc of Owensboro, KY.