Graveside Services for Shirley Ruth Longino, 72, of Coushatta will be held Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 10:00am at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Hall Summit, LA with Brother Olan McLaren officiating and Tyler Mitchell providing the music.

Shirley was born on July 31, 1947 and passed away in an automobile accident on Monday, March 23, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her parents L.B and Thelma Nichols of Coushatta, two brothers Walter B. Nichols of Coushatta, LA, Douglas Nichols of Coushatta, LA, and her husband Merse Longino of Coushatta, LA.

Left to cherish her memories are her three children Mark Longino and wife Mary Ann of Martin, LA, Johnny Longino of Starkville,MS, and Christy Gay and husband Mark of Coushatta, LA. One sister Elaine Sessions and husband J.R. of Coushatta, LA, and one sister-in-law, Pat Nichols of Coushatta, LA. Eight grandchildren, Daniel Longino and wife Sierra, Melissa Townsend and husband Brian, Steven Longino, Allison Ogdon and husband Trevyn, Zachary Longino, Jared Gay and Randi Corley, Amanda Longino and Colton Longino. As well as two great grandchildren, Avery Longino and Tilden Townsend.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She retired from the Red River Parish School Board after devoting over 30 years there. She loved driving the school bus for all the children, especially her special needs kids that she thought of as her own.  She loved traveling with her husband to Blue Grass festivals and taking bus tours all around the country. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, camping at the lake and going fishing. She spent the final years of her life taking care of her husband in his hard-fought battle with his health. Shirley loved the lord and knew that she would meet him one day and be reunited with her beloved husband of almost 57 years. (Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10)

Sadly, due to the current state of the world due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we made the difficult decision to forego traditional funeral services. We feel that for the safety of all friends and family this is the right decision to make.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery Fund, or St. Jude Children's Hospital, Honor and Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis , TN 38105-9959.