Shirley Nell Crothers was born on February 7, 1932, near Geary, Oklahoma, to parents Dwight and Norma (Ice) Peters.  She was raised on the family farm northeast of Geary.  She attended Geary Schools, graduating Valedictorian in 1950.  She married Howard Duane Crothers, son of the late Lester and Mildred (Howland) Crothers on June 25, 1950, at First Methodist Church in Geary.  In the early years of marriage, they lived on a farm northeast of Geary where she enjoyed raising their three children Sharon, Duane and Beverly.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

In 1960, they moved into town where Shirley held several interesting jobs throughout her life.  For many years, she worked for two prominent doctors in the community.  Shirley worked for Dr. Daniel F. Stough, M. D., for 13 years (1958-1971).  She then worked in Hinton, OK, for Dr. Marshall Ingram, M. D., for four years (1971-1975).  For the next five years (1975-1979), she worked as the Secretary to the Superintendent and School Board of Geary Schools.  Shirley later enjoyed working part-time at the local floral and gift shop, The Flowerloft.  In these various jobs, she learned a wide range of skills and enjoyed each one immensely.

Shirley had a love for learning and experiencing life.  She was an avid reader (especially history), she loved to paint, and she and Howard loved traveling.  One of her most enjoyable accomplishments in life was learning to fly.  When the children were small, the family traveled to Colorado and to nearby lakes (Ft. Cobb and Canton) where they enjoyed camping and boating every summer in their small boat the kids named “Whitie.”  Many memories were made enjoying cousins and childhood friends on those summer outings with their three children.  Later, they bought a motorcycle and enjoyed many adventures.  In 1984, they purchased a Cessna 172 airplane and Shirley, at the age of 51, obtained her Private Pilot’s License.  She and Howard loved flying and spent many hours flying the countryside and landing at various friends’ homes. They also enjoyed traveling in their RV, traveling to almost every state, Canada and Mexico.  Two of their favorite places were the Colorado mountains and Texas beaches.  In 2000, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Lake Louise and Banff, Canada.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her infant sister, Lois Jean, brothers Bennie Joe (Beege) Peters and Dwight Wayne (Bud) Peters, her husband Howard Crothers and grandson Russell Crothers.  She is survived by her three children Sharon Carolina (Michael), Edmond, OK; Duane Crothers, Great Bend KS and Beverly Smith, Canton, OK.  Surviving grandchildren:  Lezlie (Goad) Maltz, Houston, TX; Natalie Espinosa (Brandon), St. Charles, MO; Andy Smith (Molly), Watonga, OK; Davey Smith (Katie), Canton, OK.  Surviving great-grandchildren are: Kale, Kaylee, and Kane Smith, Watonga, OK; Addisyn, Allisyn and Arya Smith, Canton, OK; Ethan and Maya Rose Espinosa, St. Charles, MO; and Margot Maltz, Houston, TX.

Graveside Services will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, 2:00 PM at the Geary Cemetery under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Geary, OK.