Shirley Smith

Shirley Elizabeth Smith, age 90, of Harrah, Oklahoma, passed away on October 13, 2023.  She was born on March 15, 1933, to William and Sarah Bash in Kenova, West Virginia.
After graduating from Kenova High School, Shirley went on to study at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.  During her time at Trevecca, Shirley met the love of her life, Melvin Smith.  They married in July of 1953 in Shirley’s hometown of Kenova.  Afterwards, they moved to Mobile, Alabama, where both Shirley and Melvin went to work at Brookley Air Force Base.
During their time in Mobile they had four children:  one daughter, Sandra, and three sons, Ronald, Jeffrey and Donald.  After Donald was born, Brookley Air Force Base closed and Melvin and Shirley transferred to Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma.  Shirley spent the last two years of her federal service at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where she retired in 1990 with 33 years of federal service.
After retiring, Shirley moved back to Oklahoma and began attending the sewing group with her daughter at CCN (Choctaw Church of the Nazarene).  Shirley loved making quilts for family and friends.  She and Sandra went to numerous quilt retreats.  She also enjoyed attending plays and musicals.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her nine grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents and three brothers.  The love of her life, Melvin, passed away in 2016.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Sandra Cullins and husband, James; sons:  Ron Smith, Jeff Smith and wife, Patty, and Don Smith; nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from noon to 7:00 pm at AE Funeral Services, 603 W. Independence St., Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, 2:00 pm, at Choctaw Church of the Nazarene, 1100 Harper St., Choctaw, Oklahoma 73020.
Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N. Midwest Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73141.