Julie Shirey Obituary Julie Rainwater Shirey, 86 of Lubbock, died Saturday, May 3, 2025. Services will be Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 am at First Methodist Church of Big Spring with Rev. Ann Akin officiating. Burial will be at Trinity Memorial Park at 2:00 that afternoon. There will be a casual visitation and celebration in Julie's honor from 5:00-8:00 pm that evening at the Settles Hotel Mezzanine. She was born November 29, 1938 in Bristow, Oklahoma. Her family moved to Big Spring in 1944 where Julie grew up. She graduated from BSHS in 1956. Upon graduation, she attended Howard College then received her Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech where she was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega. She married Delbert Shirey in 1961 and together they had 2 daughters, Jennifer and Brenda. After living in Iowa, Massachusetts and Arkansas, Julie and the girls moved back to Big Spring in 1974. While there, Julie taught countless piano students in her home and at Howard College. She directed the First Christian Church choir for 21 years as well as the Big Spring Federal Prison Choir. Julie helped start a program where families in the community could sponsor an inmate and bring them to sing with the choir at First Christian. Church services were often followed by lunch at Julie's house or the fellowship hall. She taught elementary music at St. Mary's and retired from Moss Elementary. Her students adored her class and loved performing the amazing PTA Programs she directed. After retirement, she moved to Lubbock in 2007 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Julie will be remembered for her contagious laughter, fun-loving spirit and way with people. She coordinated all of her BSHS class reunions and was the first ever "Coming Home Queen" in Big Spring, a title that was created just for her. It has since become a Homecoming tradition. As a BSHS alum, she spoke at Pep Rallies, was a member of the Quarterback Club and coordinated the "adopt-a-player" program to support BSHS athletics. She was a member of the Hyperion Club, Symphony Board, Parks and Recreation Board, American Heart Association and the first female member of the Rotary Club. Through the Rotary Club, she hosted many foreign exchange students. Julie loved traveling with her best friend Toni Choate and they often visited the countries of the exchange students Julie had hosted in her home. Julie was known for hosting wonderful parties not only for her friends, but for her daughters' friends. The Shirey house was a regular hangout for many friends, family gatherings and piano students. The house was always full of music and fellowship. Julie is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Shirey; Brenda Shirey Hays, husband Jeff and grandchildren Annabelle and Jack Hays who referred to her as "Tutu". She was preceded in death by her parents, Champ and Marjorie Rainwater and one brother, Dr. Charles Rainwater. Julie and her mother Marjorie were both church organists and pianists, so in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Organ Fund of First United Methodist Church, 400 Scurry in Big Spring as well as the Choral Scholars Program at St. John's UMC, stjohnslubbock.org 1501 University Ave. in Lubbock, Texas. Services

Memorial Service Saturday May 31, 2025 11:00 AM Big Spring First Methodist Church 400 S Scurry St. Big Spring, TX 79720