Shirley Tellefson was born in Oregon on May 8th, 1932 and lived her early life in Eugene and Pilot Rock, Oregon. She met her future husband, Jack Howell, while waitressing and going to college in La Grande, Oregon. Shirley graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics although she actively disliked sewing and didn’t care for cooking either. She had 2 children- Jack and Jenell. She spent many years teaching 5th grade, 8th grade, and later in life, adults wanting their GED. For many years, Shirley struggled with alcohol addiction, but with God’s help was able to overcome her addiction. She often joined or started an AA group in whatever town she moved to. Her greatest passion was studying and teaching the Bible as well as writing about what she had studied. Shirley was known for her passion for the Lord and her biting wit. She moved to Austin, Texas after she had a stroke and her husband died within a week of each other. She was blessed to find a family among the residents and staff of The Renaissance, Austin, TX in her final days.
