Shirley Thompson

Shirley Marie Thompson was born on April 15, 1939, to Ray and Cora (Barnett) Thompson in rural Cherokee County Oklahoma, the tenth of twelve children and departed this life on June 8, 2021, at the age of 82 years. Shirley grew up in the Lucky Springs area, along Spring Creek, attended local schools and Tahlequah High School.

Shirley married Roy Thompson in May 1957, right after high school. They had three sons and one daughter during their marriage. While raising four kids, in the 1960's, Shirley completed a business program at a Tulsa career school, and later in life earned a cosmetologist license. That appreciation for education and self-reliance being a trait from her mother, who went to Bacone College and taught high school English (Grannie Cora was born in 1900). Shirley worked as an accountant/bookkeeper until past the age of 70 years, saying "I'm able, so why quit?". Her hobbies included sewing, photography, and her flower gardens. Her joy was in her family and friends. If you were her friend, you knew it and were treated as family.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, all but two of her siblings, and former husbands, Lee Marshall, LaRoy Lail, and Roy Thompson. She is survived by one brother, Jimmy Thompson of San Antonio Texas, one sister, Joyce Roush of Tulsa, her daughter Teresa Moore of Wagoner, sons, Herschell and wife, Diana; Herman and wife, Sheila; and Emmett, all of Tahlequah; seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.