GREENFIELD, IN,
Shirley Ann (Haines) Despot, Greenfield, passed away September 8, 2021 in the care of hospice at Springhurst Health Campus. She was 89.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, February 25, 1932, to James and Bertha (Eaton) Haines, she graduated in 1950 from Indianapolis George Washington High School and married her sweetheart John Despot, a 1947 Washington graduate, on November 5, 1950. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together at home last November. Mr. Despot preceded his wife in death by less than six months, passing away March 25.
Mrs. Despot obtained her bachelor’s degree from John Herron Art Institute and her master’s degree in art education from Butler University. In addition to working as a professional artist for decades, Mrs. Despot also taught art at every level, from kindergarten to adult. Most of her primary and secondary teaching was at the Center Grove school system in Greenwood, while most of Mrs. Despot’s adult classes were held at the Indianapolis Art Center.
She was a member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana, Southside Art League, Hoosier Art Salon and past president of Indiana Artist Club. Her award-winning art was exhibited in Indiana and throughout the Midwest, as well as at several Texas Watercolor Society exhibitions.
Although for much of her life Mrs. Despot had little interest in sports, the 1999-2000 Indiana Pacers’ championship run transformed her into not only a huge fan of her hometown team but also of the NBA as a whole. She rarely missed a televised Pacers’ game during the last 20 years of her life, and continued annually to follow the league playoffs to the championship despite Indiana’s inability to make another finals’ appearance.
During their retirement years, Mrs. Despot and her husband travelled extensively, visiting Europe, Hawaii and many other states. Their favorite vacation spot was much closer to home, though, at Gatlinburg, Tennessee, an area they returned to many times.
Like her husband of seven decades, Mrs. Despot held faith and family above all else. The couple were members of Bluff Creek Christian Church, Greenwood, for much of their adult lives and most recently belonged to Greenfield Christian Church. Together they had four children ~ Debi (Don) Reed, New Palestine; John (Treesa) Despot, White Bluff, Tennessee; Joann (Dale) Loftus, New Palestine; and Tom (Becky) Despot, Monterey, Indiana, all of whom survive.
Also surviving are grandchildren Jessica Lankford, Monica Sanchez, Sara Despot, Zoe Dorsey, Darcy Despot, Rebecca Miles, Jacob Despot and Natalie Henderson; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Despot was preceded in death by her brother David Haines and great-grandchild Carson Despot.
A private family service will be held graveside Saturday at Bluff Creek Christian Church Cemetery, Greenwood. Fellow Greenfield Christian Church parishioner Larry McGuire will officiate.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, Franklin, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Indianapolis Art Center Shirley Despot Award for Mixed Media (820 E. 67th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
