Denise Shuttlesworth, of Carthage, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, February 12, 2022, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 67. Sheryl Denise Mills was born on January 27, 1955, in Grand Saline, Texas to the late William Samuel "W.S." and Wilma Aderis Edmonson Mills of Colfax, Texas. Education was very important to her. After graduating from Van High School with the class of 1973, she attended Tyler Junior College and then went on to receive her bachelor's degree in music education from Stephen F. Austin University in 1977. She later went on to complete her master's degree in music education from University of Texas at Tyler. While at Stephen F. Austin, she met the love of her life Steve Shuttlesworth. They married on Sunday, October 10, 1976, in Canton, Texas. They shared 45 loving years of marriage. Together they had two children: Keith Shuttlesworth of Long Branch and Kimberly Shuttlesworth of Lewisville. Faith and family were the center focus for her and she was the most loving wife and mother. She belonged in life and in death to our Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Denise was a talented musician and knew in fifth grade that she wanted to be a music teacher. She was a pianist, percussionist, and vocalist all during her school years. After SFA, Denise went on to teach Band and Choir at Tatum ISD for fifteen years. In 1994, she began teaching choir at Carthage Junior High. Her career ended where she originally fell in love with music education by teaching elementary music at Baker-Koonce Intermediate School. While retired, Denise was still active in the community in Carthage ISD by substitute teaching and accompanying hundreds of band and choir students on solos for contest. She influenced thousands of students over her illustrious 30 years in education. Denise's love of music started at a young age in the church. She loved to sing and play the piano on Sundays during service. She continued that love all her life playing piano for her church congregation and singing in the choir and small groups for over 50 years. Denise was preceded in death by her parents, W.S. and Wilma Mills; mother-in-law, Glenna Shuttlesworth; sister-in-law, Kay Shuttlesworth; and father-in-law, Bob Shuttlesworth

Denise is survived by her husband, Steve Shuttlesworth of Carthage; children, Keith Shuttlesworth and Kimberly Shuttlesworth; sisters, Beverly Lowry of Grand Saline and Debbie Middleton and husband Wesley of Wichita Falls; sister-in-law, Debbie Lowery and husband Roy Lee of Irving; brother-in-law, George Shuttlesworth and wife Mitzi of Carthage; sister-in-law Melissa Mullins of Rowlett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. David Holder officiating. Entombment will follow in Restland Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Keith Shuttlesworth, Wesley L Middleton, Wesley Samuel Middleton, Derek Brewster, Parker Moseley, and Steve Sowell.  Honorary pallbearer is Glenn Westbrook.

Memorials may be made to the Carthage Education Foundation or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com .

Click on the video below to view Mrs. Shuttlesworth's Funeral Service