Shirley Ann Borel Allen (January 29, 1938 – January 14, 2024)

Shirley Borel Allen, 85, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, following a multi-year battle with dementia.

Shirley was born on January 28, 1938, in Esther, Vermillion Parish, Louisiana. Shirley’s Cajun roots were core to her character – from her work ethic to her spirited personality. Her native tongue was Cajun French which she spoke until the schools introduced English in her pre-teen years. Her childhood years were also adventurous – every winter was spent living in camps in nearby swamps as her father led hunting expeditions and trapped valuable furs to sell. As the eldest daughter of 12 children growing up in the Cajun farmland of South Louisiana, Shirley was responsible for helping to raise and look after her siblings, a commitment she took great pride in and one that continued throughout her life.

In 1953, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Shirley was set up on a blind date with Edwin Franklin Allen, sparking a great love affair that lasted more than 65 years. They were beside each other through thick and thin, raising four children who were their pride and joy. Family was the center of their universe, and they relished being grandparents to their 11 grandchildren. They also cherished spending time with their siblings and their families in Louisiana and Texas – and beyond – every chance they got. Family time always centered around an abundance of food (especially gumbo), sporting events, joke telling, a competitive domino or card game and boisterous laughter until sides hurt and tears flowed.

Shirley was a force of nature. She was one the toughest women most people around her had ever known – she was rarely seen sitting down and until her dying day, certainly did not believe in a sick day. She was quick to laugh or crack a wry smile, loved a mischievous ruse, hated to lose, was generous to neighbors and strangers alike, and loved to tap her foot and shake her hips to a wide variety of music she enjoyed. She taught her children formative lessons of hard work, setting high expectations, no self-pity, giving people the benefit of the doubt and shooting for the stars.

Shirley is reunited in death with her loving parents, Laura Mae and Laurence Joseph Borel, her sister Ruby Nolia Borel Westerbuhr and Ruby’s husband Gerry Westerbuhr; her brothers, Curis Borel, Lawrence Borel, Jr., Rodolphe Borel, Roland Borel and Marion Borel. She is also preceded in death by her son-in-law Samuel Harrison Claiborn, and grandson, Nicholas Allen Claiborn.

Shirley’s friends and family who survive her love her deeply. She is survived by her loving husband, Ed Allen; her children: Jack Edwin Allen and his wife, Patricia, Gary Daniel Allen and his wife, Jennifer, Laura Allen Claiborn and Danielle Allen Morris and her husband, Chris; and her beloved grandchildren: Branden Lee Allen, Christopher William Allen, Ryan Michael Allen, Brandon McKenzie Wiltshire, Sarah Michelle Allen, Jason Daniel Allen, Jefferson Forbes Ye, Jax Harrison Claiborn, Clayton Eller Claiborn and Samuel Greyson Claiborn. She is also survived by her treasured siblings: Hermon Borel and his wife, Sharon of Shreveport, Nolan Borel and his wife, Carolyn of Erath, Rosemary Lacaze and her husband, LaRue, of Abbeville, Lucille Hebert of Abbeville, and Vickie Borel of Erath, and her wonderful nieces and nephews who were so special to her. There are countless other friends and family who Shirley carried with her in her heart.

The family will celebrate Shirley’s life on Friday, January 26, 2024, at Rosewood Funeral Home at 2602 South Houston Avenue, Humble, TX 77396. Funeral services will begin at Noon, with a reception to immediately follow. A Rosary/Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m.