Tamarlyn Moores Shannon

On May 17, 1932, a beautiful cactus flower was born in El Paso, Texas, to Forrest Fred Wood and Tamar Lena Dixon. Her name was a tribute to her mother and grandmothers, combining a little of each name to create something truly unique. Tamarlyn Moores Shannon grew up mostly in the Dallas area, graduating from Grand Prairie High School in 1949. After high school, she moved to California, married, and had two sons and one daughter. After moving back to Texas, she raised her family, worked, and attended college part time. At Mt. View Junior College, she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and received an Associate in Arts and Sciences. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology from the University of Texas at Dallas, Health Science Center. Over the years, she was always involved with children in one form or fashion. It was a natural fit for her to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and teach children. She became a teacher's assistant for Kemp Intermediate School in Kemp, Texas, where she made a loving and caring impression on many young minds. Tamarlyn loved being close to nature - watching the butterflies, listening to the birds, and planting flowers. She also loved to fish and would surprise many a fisherman by showing up in a skirt and hose to go fishing... I think her "getup" was part of her fishing success! Words that describe her are giving, loving, funny, sarcastic, classy, stylish, strong, independent, stubborn, caring, supportive, and most importantly - mother. Even though she was a tried and true Texan, she recently moved to North Carolina to be with her daughter and her family. There she lived in the country - sitting on the wraparound porch, watching hummingbirds fly by, and making memories with her granddaughter, Shelby. Sadly, she passed away on November 17, 2015, after a sudden illness. Tamarlyn is preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Tamar Wood and her beloved husband, Charles E. Shannon. She is survived by her sons, Mark Thomas Dandridge, Russell Edward Dandridge; daughter, Desma Anne Hart; son-in-law, Jon Charles Hart; daughter-in-law, Deb Dandridge; granddaughters, Michaleen Tara Dandridge, Shelby Caroline Hart, and Melissa Fowler Dandridge; grandsons, Chase Andrew Dandridge and Michael Thor Dandridge; numerous great grandchildren; and wonderful friends and students. She will be greatly missed. Memorial services for Tamarlyn Moores Shannon will be Saturday, December 5, 2015, 10:00 AM at Huckabee - Tomlinson Funeral Home, Malakoff, Texas. In lieu of flowers, we'd like to provide a donation to the Kemp Intermediate School's library in her memory. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/u5bag5cs.