Remembering Cynthia Shirley

Relatives of Cynthia Shirley are remembering her as the foundation of their family while they try to learn more about the bizarre accident that killed her.

Shirley, 47, of Vidor, died Monday when a piece of angle iron crashed through the windshield of her SUV while she was on I-10 near the Hollywood overpass.

She died following surgery at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.

Shirley is survived by her father, her son James, who is a senior and played football at Vidor High School, another son, Eric, and many other relatives.

"We've got to stay together as a family, stay strong cause that's what she would want us to do," Cynthia's son, James, told KFDM News. "She wouldn't want us to be down and out."

Family members of Cynthia Shirley are trying to cope with the pain. They're leaning on each other for support as they plan for a funeral at a time when they should be shopping for Christmas presents.

"It was shocking, complete freak accident, one of those things you can't prepare for, you never expect it to come," said James Laramore, 18, Cynthia's son.

Laramore didn't expect to spend the Christmas holiday without his mother, Cynthia Shirley. He played football at Vidor High School and says his mother was his biggest fan.

"She never missed a football game, never missed any sport I played," said Laramore. "She was always there, family functions, she was always there."

He says his mom was the family member who organized all the birthday parties, wedding receptions and family gatherings, occasions that have been captured in pictures.

"It was difficult this morning waking up and realizing she wasn't there to turn on my light, even though I hated it so much," said Laramore.

Shirley's 2002 blue Tahoe is now in police custody at a wrecker yard. She was driving north on I-10 near the Hollywood overpass at about 4 p.m. Monday when a piece of iron crashed through the windshield and struck her.

She swerved to the right and hit the outside concrete barrier. James' mom died following surgery at Christus Hospital Saint Elizabeth.

"I didn't want to believe it," said Laramore.

Laramore, his brother, family members and several friends are still in shock. He says the woman who held this family together is now gone.

"We've got to lean on each other during these times to get us through it because she was such a big part in all of our lives. We definitely have to stay together to get through it," said Larimore.

James say it's something his mother would have wanted.

And fulfilling that wish, especially during the holiday season, would have offered comfort to her at a time when the family is trying to comfort one another.

Investigators are asking for anyone with information about the source of the metal to call Beaumont Police at 409-880-3865, or if you want to remain anonymous call Beaumont Crime Stoppers at 833-TIPS or log onto www.beaumontcrimestoppers.com.

Earlier story -

Beaumont Police have released the name of a woman killed when a piece of iron crashed through her windshield on Interstate 10 in Beaumont.

Police say Cynthia L. Shirley, 47, of Vidor, was driving her 2002 blue Tahoe north on I-10 near the Hollywood overpass at about 4 p.m. Monday when a piece of u-shaped angle iron crashed through the windshield and struck her. The Tahoe swerved to the right and hit the outside concrete barrier.

The woman was taken by ambulance to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth where she died following surgery.

Investigators are asking for anyone with information about the piece of iron and where it came from to call Beaumont Police at 409-880-3865. If you want to remain anonymous call Beaumont Crime Stoppers at 833-TIPS or log onto http://www.BeaumontCrimeStoppers.com or on your cell phone text "BMT" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.