Elinor “Jean” Shorkey, 71, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015. Jean was a true Christian, she loved everyone she met. Jean was grateful for everyday she lived. She never expected anything in return. Jean worked diligently her entire life to live up to her fullest potential. She was an inspiration to those around her. Jean loved her family and cared for her father until his demise. She was close to her sisters and would check the mail to see if she had a letter from her sisters Carol and Alice. Jean would spend extended time with them in Ft. Worth and Houston in her younger years. That was always a treat. Mary was her sister, roommate, and caregiver. Jean helped her with her children when they were small. She faithfully picked them up from school each day, and she was always available for babysitting. When her other nieces and nephew came into town, Jean spent hours playing "Go Fish" and listening to them read. She was a very loving aunt.
In her younger days, Jean was educated in Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. When her family moved to Texas, Jean attended Austin State School for the Deaf. During her junior high years, she attended Jane Brooks School for the Deaf in Chickasha, Oklahoma. There she learned the art of lip reading. This prepared her for high school which she was able to complete in Beaumont. She was a proud graduate of French High School in 1965. Later in her educational track, she was the first deaf student who was sponsored by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission to be trained for a career in graphic arts. Jean attended Lee College in Baytown.
She loved church and was raised going to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and was a frequent attendee. When word got out about the deaf outreach program at First Baptist Church, Jean and her sister would attend social events. It wasn't long until Jean became part of this group and was able to go independently. Before long, she began attending services weekly at the chapel. She did this for years, and the family wishes to extend their gratitude for their love and acceptance of Jean. Each Sunday, Leroy or Kay would come for Jean, and this was so important to her.
As Jean became older, she enjoyed watching movies with her sister, and going out to the beauty shop with her caregiver Patricia. She loved to see her family when they came to see her. Jean was truly thankful for every day she had on this earth.
There are so many people the family wishes to thank. First and foremost is her caregiver Patricia Moore. Jean's needs were always placed first with Patricia. Jean's hairdresser, Carla Carmon always had time for Jean. Next, are Jean's friends from the Deaf Chapel, Leroy Moore and Kay Broussard. They provided years of support and saw that Jean was able to participate in this outreach program for the deaf. There have been countless people along the way such as the staff at the Wellness Center and the employees at Market Basket who always had an eye on Jean. She had the best medical team available, and the family is grateful for that.
Jean is survived by her sisters, Mary Shorkey Hager of Beaumont; Carol Shorkey Parker and her husband, Jim, of Fort Worth; and Alice Shorkey Butrum and her husband, Herb, of Houston; nieces and nephews, Kim Truman and her husband, Bill; R.J. Adams and his wife, Michelle; Stephen Hager and his wife, Greta; Kelley Roberts and her husband, Gordon; Jacqueline Dearden and her husband, Michael; Grant Butrum and his wife, Kelly; and Anne Butrum; great-nieces and nephews, Katherine Truman, Madeline Truman, Sarah Truman, Hanna Bradford, Will Butrum, Houston Roberts, and Melissa Dearden.
A gathering of Miss Shorkey’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2015, at St Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
The family wishes in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Deaf Chapel at First Baptist Church, 3739 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713; St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701; New Century Hospice, 3965 Phelan Boulevard, Beaumont, Texas 77707; or to a Hospice of your choice.
