Shirley Givens Ring

On February 24, 2024, Shirley Givens Ring passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and family. A woman of deep faith, Shirley was born to Velma (Jones) and Guy Givens on October 28, 1935, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Shirley was a self-described “quiet, obedient” child who loved reading, excelled in school, and enjoyed extended family gatherings at Lake Murray. Shirley obtained her Bachelor of Elementary Education at Phillips University, where she achieved the honor roll and was inducted into Zollars Literary Society, Kappa Delta Pi professional education society, and Silver Scroll scholastic society which recognizes outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character. In 1957, Shirley began her career as a third-grade teacher at Greenbriar Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas. Shirley later shared how much she loved that first position, in which she was only 11 or 12 years older than her students. Shirley adored her family, including her “older first cousins” and younger brother Billy Guy, who strongly endorsed her budding courtship with a jovial airman named Robert Ring. Shirley and Bob were married on June 21, 1958, and she continued working as a teacher to support Bob while he earned his college degree in 1963. The same year, Shirley and Bob moved to Dallas, Texas and welcomed son, David; and in 1966, they welcomed daughter, Linda. Thereafter, Shirley dedicated her life to raising her beloved children, evolving her clever sense of humor, and working at Club Hill Elementary in Garland as a fifth-grade teacher. Shirley most loved and enjoyed her time spent with family, including a brief move to Redmond, Washington in 1978, where she was enchanted by the beautiful scenery and warmly welcomed by the congregation at United Church of Christ - Presbyterian. Upon their return to Texas, the Ring family attended First Presbyterian Church of Garland, where Shirley served as an Elder and volunteered her time delivering Meals on Wheels and engaging in outreach. Shirley was overjoyed to become a grandmother in 1994 and delighted in her deep, lifelong bond with granddaughters Ryan, Elena, Audrey, and Ciara, who grew up with Shirley’s influence in their daily lives. In retirement, Shirley enjoyed traveling with family to Colorado and Hawaii and cruising to Alaska and the Panama Canal but was happiest spending quality time and laughing with her children, grandchildren, and husband. In her last decade, in the process of overcoming Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Shirley learned important life lessons, including: “stuff” is of no real value, God is real, and prayer sustains us through difficult experiences. Most important is the lesson Shirley articulated and modeled for us all, every day of her life: The loving thing is the right thing. Shirley Givens Ring is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Ring of Garland, son David Ring (Dana) of Plano, and daughter Linda Ring Peña (Joseph) of Garland, as well granddaughters Ryan Ring Tatom (Cody) of Baton Rouge, Elena Ring of Dallas, Audrey Ring of Carrollton, Ciara Peña of Colorado Springs, nephew Will (Carla) Givens of Chicago, niece Jennifer Grant of Rowlett, step-grandchildren Gabrielle Peña of Phoenix and Lucy and Max Withers of Plano, and step-great-grandchildren, Edgar Jr. and Alexandra Flores of Phoenix. May she rest in eternal peace.

Shirley Givens Ring

October 28, 1935 - February 24, 2024