Shirley Jean Fausett, age 91, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026, at Isabella Medical Care Facility, surrounded by her devoted family.
Shirley was born on February 25, 1935, in Winn, Michigan, to Leo and Jessie (Wing) Morey. She graduated from Shepherd High School in 1953. On April 24, 1953, she married Russell Fausett in Winn, Michigan. Together, Shirley and Russell built a life centered on family, faith, hard work, and devotion, raising six children and creating a home filled with warmth and care for future generations. She worked at the Winn Shopping Center and later worked as the head cashier at the Shepherd State Bank Winn branch.
Shirley retired early in life, giving her time to find simple blessings every day, especially in her kitchen. She found joy in cooking and baking, and she had a gift for making meals and treats that brought people together. Her delicious fruit pies were a special favorite among family and friends, made with care and often filled with fruit grown from her own trees and bushes. Whether she was preparing a family meal, baking something sweet, or preserving the harvest for the months ahead, Shirley poured care into everything she made. She also enjoyed sharing her knowledge of cooking and baking, patiently teaching others the skills, recipes, and little tips she had learned through years of experience. Time spent in the kitchen with Shirley was more than preparing food; it was a chance to learn, laugh, listen, and carry on the traditions she held dear.
Her vegetable gardens were a source of pride and a reflection of her hard work, patience, and deep appreciation for the land. She tended them with care, watching each seed and plant become food that would nourish her family through the seasons. Shirley lovingly canned everything she grew, filling shelves with the fruits of her labor and making sure nothing went to waste. Her fruit trees and bushes were always abundant, producing the sweetest fruit to share and enjoy. From the garden rows to the kitchen table, Shirley found joy in growing, harvesting, preserving, baking, and sharing the goodness she had nurtured with her own hands.
She especially enjoyed walking through her flower gardens, proudly sharing the beautiful display of color with others. Her gardens reflected the care, patience, and creativity she brought to so much of her life, with each bloom adding beauty to the home she cherished. She took joy in watching the flowers grow through the seasons and in inviting family and friends to admire the colors, scents, and peacefulness she had nurtured with her own hands. Shirley also delighted in sewing and crafting, which were part of her daily routine. With fabric, thread, yarn, or whatever materials she had on hand, she could create something useful, beautiful, or meaningful. Creative and resourceful, she truly could “make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” and she proved that many times through the thoughtful and beautiful things she made. Her handmade projects were a reflection of her imagination, patience, and generous spirit, often becoming cherished pieces shared with those she held dear.
Shirley enjoyed board games and was known as a Scrabble champion, passing her enthusiasm for the game down through four generations. She also loved playing euchre and pinochle and was famous for her late-night and early-morning breakfasts after a lively night of cards, gathering family and friends around the table with good food, laughter, and stories. She was also an avid reader with an endless appetite for knowledge. Books were a constant companion throughout her life, offering her both comfort and curiosity. She enjoyed learning new things, stretching her mind, and sharing bits of wisdom gathered from the pages she read. Her appreciation for reading reflected the thoughtful, inquisitive, and lifelong learner she was. Her faith was an important part of her life and a quiet source of strength, comfort, and guidance. Shirley and Russell were baptized together at Lake Isabella in 1993, a meaningful expression of their shared faith. Shirley was a member of Victory Church in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and she treasured the time she was able to spend in Bible study, where she found encouragement, fellowship, and deeper understanding. Shirley carried her faith in the way she cared for her family, welcomed others, and found gratitude in the everyday blessings around her.
Shirley is survived by her children, Beth (John) Watson, Barb (Jack) Pittwood, Greg Fausett, Brian (Peri) Fausett, and Tim Fausett; 15 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Jessie Morey; her beloved husband, Russell Fausett; son Rodney Fausett, and her brothers, Larry Morey and Myron Morey.
A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11am. A memorial service will follow beginning at 11am at Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd, MI.
Fausett Family Funeral Homes and Berry Funeral Home are assisting the family with arrangements and services.
Shirley will be deeply missed by all who knew and cherished her. Her kindness, creativity, faith, and devotion to family leave behind a legacy that will continue to live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those blessed to share in her life. Though her presence will be dearly missed, the care she gave, the lessons she taught, and the memories she created will be treasured always.
