July 4, 1947-March 22, 2023
On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Shirley Nelson Baptist, loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away suddenly at age 75. Shirley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 4, 1947, a firecracker baby to Meredith and Marjorie (Breinholt) Nelson, the fourth of eight children. She grew up and lived in Salt Lake City before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, California, in 1982. She married the love of her life, Donald Victor Baptist, on Feb. 14, 1989, in San Jose, California. Together they moved to St. George, Utah, in 2001.
Shirley excelled in all of her endeavors and always looked for the next best opportunity. She started out working as a keypunch operator and insurance adjuster. On a leap of faith and a career opportunity, she bravely moved herself and her two children to California. Shirley earned her associate degree in business from West Valley Junior College in Saratoga, California. She put that knowledge to work when she opened Scrap Apple Quilts in St. George, Utah, in 2005, turning her hobby into a business and creating a quilter’s dream destination. She produced her own quilt patterns, taught classes and enjoyed working with people to create beautiful works of art. She had a talent for remembering names and fostering a community.
Shirley lived a faith-filled life. She’s a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings including Relief Society president, Relief Society teacher and Primary teacher.
Shirley was extremely creative and enjoyed cooking, music, painting, crafting and quilting — an artist in every sense of the word. She loved to be active and throughout her life enjoyed golfing, skiing and traveling. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, planning reunions, going on trips and hosting parties. She had a profoundly generous heart and would give you the “quilt” off her back.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Don; her parents; her brothers Stephen Nelson and David Nelson; her sister Peggy Jenson; and her grandson Jonathan Baptist.
Shirley is survived by her six children: Harley (Conny) Willesen, Sheri McGarvey, Dwayne (Ellen) Baptist, Jim (Joan) Baptist, Rick (Pam) Baptist and Ron (Merlinda) Baptist; 13 grandchildren: Amy (Justin) DeBorba, Tyler Willesen, Jessica (Kaden) Clements, Paul Baptist, Peter Baptist, David Baptist, Michael (Audrey) Baptist, Mitch (Alex) Baptist, Morgan (Eric) Elmore, Tiffany (Michael) Bella, Jennifer Baptist, Amanda Baptist and Nicholas Baptist; six great-grandchildren; four sisters: Ruth Ann (Dan) Curtis, Julie Abbott, Kathy (Dennis) Dea, Margie (Dennis) Bright; sister-in-law Jolayne Nelson (Bob) Harrington; and brother-in-law Paul Jenson.
Funeral Services will be Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m. in the Mulberry Chapel, 3381 Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be Thursday, March 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., and Friday, prior to services, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.
Services will be livestreamed. Link will be posted to the bottom of Shirley’s obituary on the Metcalf Mortuary website.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.