Carol Joy Shirts

Carol Shirts
Bakersfield, CA

    Carol Joy Shirts completed the mortal part of her eternal life on November 6, 2022 in Bakersfield, California.  She was born in Escalante, Utah on December 25, 1940 the youngest of four children born to LoNeta “Neta” Hall and Morris Shirts.   
    Growing up in Escalante brought with it the many things that she loved most including spending time exploring the fascinating and diverse beauty around her, caring for and riding horses, working in the garden, cultivating many talents and abilities, and spending time with and serving her relatives across the area.  She had a determined spirit and a propensity to independence.  These attributes along with her energetic approach to life helped her develop her musical, athletic, homemaking, and academic skills which she carried with her throughout her life. 
    Carol Joy was an accomplished pianist, organist, and saxophone player and loved to sing in or lead the choir.  She often served in music capacities throughout her service in church.  In her youth she was a terrific softball player and later enjoyed watching and supporting her children in their sporting and musical activities. For her children, there was nothing as good as her home cooked food.  She had learned to cook and bake early in life and many of her recipes are still in use throughout the extended family.  No one could top her homemade bread, rolls, or cinnamon rolls! 
    After completion of high school, Carol Joy decided to work in Orem, Utah and live with her older sister, Nadine.  Moving back and forth from Orem to Escalante, she was introduced to Art Cooper of Panguitch, Utah who was attending a political rally in Escalante.  Their courtship blossomed and Carl Joy and Art were married in August of 1959.  During her married life (divorced in 1985), Carol Joy brought five children into the world.  She helped teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraged them to participate in their church and other religious activities. She also wanted them each to be actively involved in school and extracurricular activities. She instilled in them a work ethic to do their very best at each task and to strive to be as accomplished as possible in each area.  Those attributes permeate the lives of her children.  While helping raise her family they lived in Utah, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas and even 18 months in Panama City, Panama.  She worked at Emconite Plastics and Kroger Foods in Denton, Texas and later at Bechtel in Bakersfield, California. 
    Some of her favorite memories were returning to spend the summers in Escalante with her children and her parents and watching the kids participate in some of the same wonderful activities she had done as a child.   
    In 1987 Carol Joy married Ferrell Roundy of Taft, California.  They were later divorced.  She stayed in California for the last 35 years of her life. 
    Carol Joy is survived by her children: Christian A. Cooper (Tammy), Sherman, TX; Clifton J. Cooper (Eadie), Denton, TX; Carlton M. Cooper, Argyle, TX; and Carolyn Joyce Stacy (Lance), Corinth, TX; son-in-law, Darin Standiford, Evanstan, WY.  She has 20 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
    Carol Joy was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Alpine Shirts, Nadine Anderson, and an infant sister Mavanee Shirts.  She was also heartbroken at the death of her oldest daughter, Carmen Joy Standiford, in June 2020.
    Carol Joy was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  There will be a viewing and family prayer in the Escalante Ward Relief Society room on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by graveside services in the Escalante, Utah Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com      We express sincere appreciation to the members of the Wasco California Ward for watching over Mom and for their loving and attentive care for many years.  The family is also tremendously grateful for the kindness and support given by Dixie Speer and the rest of the staff at Height Street Skilled Nursing in Bakersfield, California and to Hoffman Hospice.