On March 25, 2016, my family lost a great friend, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt: Shirley Carpenter Kyle. Shirley was a very special person, and her passing has hit me very hard. It just shows that life is not forever.

Her laugh. I loved her laugh: Husky and full of life. I know that she loved my grandmother Pearl. She knew how to give back Mama’s orneryness. I also know that she loved my dad, in fact, she married him for a brief period of time. It became the joke in the family. Sharla, her oldest daughter, still considers me to be her brother. At almost 42, I think I can accept that and look at it as an honor.

Shirley was there when my family moved to Exeter in 1985. She helped with the first business we opened: Doughnutty Donut House on E Street. She was always there, not only during funerals, but just to check in on us.

Random thought: I have the newspaper clipping of when she built her house in Farmersville on Cottonwood. I will have to get that to her daughters, Sharla and Harlene.

Shirley was one of a kind and I miss her. I know that she is having a reunion in heaven with her dad and the men in her life.