[b]To view photographs of her new baby boy and other family photos, please click the Slide Show button above. [/i]Thanks.
To send and view condolence messages, click the word Guest Book above.
Thanks for your prayers and support for Jimi and his family during this time.
To send Flowers, click the Flowers button above.
[/b]
[b]Shannon's Obituary[/b]
The Lord visited his garden Thursday night and chose the prettiest flower to take back to Heaven with him. Shannon Renee Guthrie Stevens, 25 years old, went home to be with her Lord Thursday, March 11, 2004.
Shannon was born November 5, 1978 in Waco to Susan Joann Kettler Guthrie and Gerald Guthrie. She graduated from McGregor High School in 1997.
She married Jimi Stevens on June 23, 2001 in a beautiful ceremony at the Clifton House in Waco.
Shannon proudly completed her nursing education at McLennan Community College and received her LVN certification on August 15, 2003. She loved nursing and she shared her heart and soul with all her patients.
She obviously touched their lives in such a special way, just as she touched the lives of her family.
Shannon is survived by her loving husband, Jimi Stevens; and her beautiful baby boy, Austin James Brian Stevens who was born March 11, 2004; her mother who adored her, Susan Joann Hayslip and husband, J.D.; her father, Gerald Ray Guthrie; her brother, Jody Lee Guthrie; her sister, Kara Hayslip Green; her mother and father in-law, Valerie and Carl Stevens; her grandparents, Bobby and Catherine Johnson of Waco and Dorothy Kettler of West. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and friends also survive her and loved her so very much.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Raymond and Peggy Guthrie and Homer Kettler.
[b]Visitation[/b]
Visitation and viewing will be on Sunday, March 14, 2004 at OakCrest Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. OakCrest is located at 4520 Bosque, right across the street from the Heart of Texas Fair Grounds.
She will lie in state in the OakCrest Funeral Home chapel from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, and from 8 a.m. until funeral time on Monday.
[b]Shannon's Services[/b]
Services will be Monday, March 15, 2004 at 2:30 p.m at OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Glenn Hilburn officiating.
Interment will be in the Waco Memorial Park North, on I-35.
[b]Memorials[/b]
Memorials can be made to Austin James Stevens, c/o ExtraCo Bank, 200 Hewitt Drive, Waco, Texas 76712, 254-761-2000, in memory of his mother.
[b]Pallbearers[/b]
Pallbearers will be Dustin Carpenter, Chris Pults, Robert Manley, Kevin Holt, Jeff Blackwood, Wesley Johnson, Scott Horsak, Brandon Evans, and her brother, Jody.
[b]Special Thanks[/b]
The family especially thanks Dr. Brian Becker and his staff and the nursing staff of Hillcrest Hospital for their care of Shannon.
[b]I wonder...[/b]
I wonder if you have any idea how many lives you've touched, how many hearts have been uplifted because of you.
I'm talking about the little things you did so easily, like a compliment when someone was feeling down, a smile that seemed to say "Everything is going to be okay."
The goodness in your heart was abundant and you were constantly spreading happy feelings to everyone around you. You were always there to bring a little present of love, wrapped beautifully as you always did it, to brighten someone's day.
You were there to hold the hand of a sick patient, first as a nurse's aide and then as a LVN.
You worked so hard to get your LVN license and we were all so very proud of you. You will always be our precious little girl, and you will live forever in our hearts. And we will share your beautiful life, your beautiful soul with your precious baby boy.
[i][b]And your memory will be ever present in his heart.[/i]
The family invites you to send and view condolence messages, click the Guestbook button below. Thanks
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm no longer there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all life I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had had so much to live for,
So much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say goodby and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I finally realised,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From his great golden throne.
He said, "this is eternity,
And all I've promised you"
Today for life on earth has passed,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrows,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you are free.
So won't you take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart.