Schirley Jo Huey

Schirley Jo (Sinn) Huey, passed away at her home in Egypt Mills, Monday, October, 20, 2025, following a recent lung cancer diagnosis. Dude, Pam, and Kim were by her side when she passed from this world into the Lord's waiting arms. Schirley Jo was born in Cape County on October 7, 1938 to Robert Carl and Helen Irene (Steeg) Sinn. She was baptized on November 27, 1938, confirmed on Palm Sunday, April 6, 1952, and married George "Dude" Huey on Sunday, May 19, 1957, all at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. Work life for Schirley Jo consisted of working at Farmers and Merchant's Bank in her early years, both before and after starting a family, and then she transitioned from there to working for her brother Harold in the construction business before she settled into the world of Real Estate, which she loved and exceled at for 25 years, until she retired. She grew up just north of Cape and learned to work hard from a young age. Helping with cooking, gardening, and canning, and also taking care of her younger brothers, which she also managed to have plenty of fun with as well. While she was Schirley in her professional life, she grew up being "Jo" to her family and friends, then "Aunt Jo", before being promoted to "Meme", which was her favorite name of all. Jo and Dude's home was always the gathering place for holidays, family reunions, work parties, and most importantly; Sunday dinners. And if it was your birthday, Meme would make your favorite meal, whether it be chicken and dumplings, lasagna, or her German potato salad, it was all homemade with love. Even when Meme had an Open House on a Sunday afternoon, she would lovingly (and hurriedly) prepare lunch for the family, sit down and grab a bite, before taking off to help a family find their perfect home. She was everything to everyone, and she did it all so effortlessly and without complaint. Jo and Dude, have had a love story spanning 68 wonderful years. These years were full of hard work, at their respective jobs, as well as work that always needed to be done on a farm. When it came to fun, Jo and Dude loved to dance! If there was a country two step or waltz playing, you could count on them to be the first to hit the floor; it was a joy to watch them dance. In the summer, when Jo wasn't busy selling real estate, she could be found working in the garden, canning, or mowing. She was also an accomplished seamstress making many of Pam and Kim's holiday dresses as well as too many Halloween costumes to count; from toddler to adult size, she would tackle whatever was requested. And let's not forget the years spent making chicken costumes for the SEMO Fair, or leading the charge when it came to costume design for the Sinn Family Christmas floats. Retired life for Jo and Dude consisted of many trips (always traveling by car), across the United States to Antique Tractor Shows or Mule Shows, or to visit with friends or family. One common thread is that they were always together. The stories and memories from these trips are priceless. However, their most cherished trips were those spent with their four grandchildren. So many trips, with numerous beach trips that created lasting memories. One lasting and impactful memory that Meme and Papa were probably unaware they were making was when they would say their nightly prayers out loud, which these four grandchildren heard and carried with them into their own families, talking to the Lord with their spouse at night. A more lighthearted and often mentioned memory is from a time 25+ years ago when Meme still smoked and while they were traveling in the RV, the grandchildren were giving her a hard time about where they would sit in the restaurant, smoking versus non-smoking, and meme quickly told them to quiet down or "you will be hanging off the back"! Jo quit smoking on 1/1/2000 (after 40+ years), with no fanfare, and no announcement; a decision fueled by the love for her grandchildren. When it came to family, Jo could be tough. She never hesitated to give you her opinion, (sometimes you didn't even have to ask) but she was someone you always wanted in your corner. She was always going to be there for her family, whether they were 6 or 60, she was there to care for you if you were sick, or defend you if needed, every step of the way. Jo is survived by her husband of 68 years, George "Dude" Huey; two daughters, Pam (Tony) Cagle, and Kim (Terrence) Kelley, both of Egypt Mills. Meme was a proud grandmother to Krissy (Brian) Gilpin of Commerce, Courtney (Dave) Willingham of Fruitland, Quentin (Ashley) Kelley of Cape Girardeau, and Lindsay Jo (Justin) Trout of Kansas City, MO. Meme was also a proud great-grandmother to Eli Gilpin, Julia, Elizabeth, Madison, and Colton Willingham, Liam and Levi Kelley, and Emmy, Evy, and Eilish Trout. She is also survived by three brothers, Jimmy (Ella) Sinn, Harold (Serene) Sinn, and Junior (Jane) Sinn, and two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Sinn and Judy Huey; as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Jo was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mary Lou King; one brother, Carl Lee Sinn; two brothers-in-law Don (Marie) Huey, and Bill Huey. Schirley Jo was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, where she gave of her time and talents to the sewing group, as well as helping with the monthly meals for those in the community, and served as a Greeter. She was a 1956 graduate of College High School. She spent many of her early years helping out with Pam's Brownie and Girl Scout Troop as well as serving as a room-mother for the girls' school parties. Later she volunteered many hours with Southeast Hospital as well as Birthright in Cape. Schirley Jo and Dude also delivered Meals on Wheels, helped deliver gifts at Christmas to The Lutheran Home residents, and also volunteered many years with the SEMO District Fair. Schirley Jo was a Past President of the Cape County Board of Realtors, and was also the Treasurer and one of the founding members who helped organize and establish the East County Fire Protection District. One of the best and most wonderful gifts Jo gave to her family, was raising them to know Jesus. The joke about being drug to church holds true with our mom. You were expected to be in church every week to worship and hear about Jesus. It didn't matter if you were a teen or even out of high school with a late Saturday night, you were expected to be in church on Sunday morning. And while there may have been times this seemed harsh or a little over the top, we understand now and are so thankful for being brought up in the church. Teaching us about Jesus is one of the best gifts our mother gave us, besides her never-ending love. She always said that the good Lord will take care of….. Well, the good Lord is now taking care of his good and faithful servant, Schirley Jo. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Egypt Mills. Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, MO or Trinity Lutheran Church Egypt Mills, Cemetery Fund. The family would like to thank Mercy Southeast Hospice for the exceptional care they gave to Schirley Jo and her family in these last precious weeks at home, and also to Comfort Keepers, especially Deb Martin, for the loving care provided to Schirley Jo over these last few years. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com

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Schirley Jo Huey

October 7, 1938 - October 20, 2025