Shirley Mavis Toppins

Shirley Mavis Toppins (Lutes) of Dardenne Prairie, MO, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Ralph Toppins; her son, Roger Toppins; her great-grandchild, Claire Toppins; her parents, Everett Rainey, and Jennie Louisa Lutes (Montgomery); her sister, Gleta Jett (Lutes) and her brother-in-law Carl Jett; and her niece, Sandra Hale; her brother and sister-in-law, James and Eva Toppins; and her niece, Suzanne Toppins.

Shirley is survived by her children, Teri (Jacob) Bunkoske, Michael (Catharine) Toppins, Sheri (M. Patrick) Flavin, and Patrick Toppins; her grandchildren, Matthew (Lauren) Toppins, Jacob Bunkoske, Jr., Christopher Toppins (Amanda Brasher), James (Kelly) Toppins, Sarah Toppins, and Kristyn Toppins; her great-grandchildren, Dylan Toppins, Walker Toppins, Maguire Toppins, Theodore Toppins, Henry Toppins and Josephine Toppins; and her niece, Joyce Blaylock (Gary).

After graduating from Des Arc High School in 1952 she moved to St. Louis and began working for the Shapleigh Hardware Company. It was there, through a mutual friend she met the love of her life Ralph Toppins who recently returned home from serving in the United States Army. They were married on February 5th, 1955. For the next 30 years she would raise her 5 children in Hazelwood Missouri before returning to work for the State of Missouri as a clerk in the St. Charles County Courthouse.

Above everything, Shirley was a loving mother and grandmother who was always very involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Shirleys passion was in the kitchen, where she was able to transform her endless love for family into many signature dishes she created. She was an avid Cardinals fan, and rarely missed watching them on television. Grandma Shirley will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorials may be made in the names of Shirley and Claire Toppins to the Oklahoma Childrens Hospital.