Shirlene Sylvia Saffle Lands

Shirlene Sylvia Saffle Lands, 88, a native of Waco, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025.

Family and friends will gather for visitation at 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2025, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. A reception will be held after the service in the Garden Room at the funeral home, for those in attendance to continue sharing and supporting Shirlene’s family. Burial will be held privately at Oakwood Cemetery.

Shirlene was born in Waco December 22, 1936, to the late Abner Lanty and Mary Violet Williams Saffle. She attended Waco ISD schools and graduated from Waco High in 1955. While attending Baylor University, Shirlene worked for Wolfe Florist and Dub King Associates. On August 3, 1957, she married the love of her life, Marvin Rhea Lands of Hewitt. Together they built a wonderful life and raised two sons and a daughter.

Shirlene worked for two years at the Waco Tribune-Herald before being appointed Postmaster of Hewitt on January 30, 1963. She served the Hewitt community for over 29 years. After retiring, Shirlene continued her community involvement by serving on the Hewitt Library Board for over 25 years, the Hewitt Historical Society for eight years, as secretary for the Hewitt Church of Christ, and as the Hewitt City Election Judge for over 10 years. She and Marvin were avid members of the Good Sams RV Chapter, Cotton Palace Sams, where they each served two years as president and newsletter editors.

Shirlene was preceded in death by her parents, A.L. and Mary Saffle; her brother, Paul David Saffle; her daughter, Charlette Renee Threadgill; and her dearly beloved husband of over 48 years, Marvin Rhea Lands.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, Marvin Ray Lands of Bruceville, and Kyle Lee Lands and his wife, Michele, of Hewitt; her sister, Vicki Linda Adams, and her husband, Michael; granddaughters, Phylicia Elizabeth Riedel and Erica Michele Crossland; five nieces and nephews; six great-nephews and four great-nieces, one of whom was like a granddaughter, Taylor Kate Charette; along with numerous friends and extended family from the Good Sams and Cotton Palace Sams chapters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirlene’s memory to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Shirlene’s family invites you to share a memory or message in her online “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.