Shirley was born on June 18, 1926, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, raised on the homestead farm that her grandmother had settled in During the land run. She was the last survivor of 7 children born to Claude and Lucy West. She used to love to talk about sitting up in the big tree on the farm and reading for hours. She loved to read throughout her life and almost always had a book in her hand. One of her favorite poems was Robert Frost’s, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and could recite it from memory.
When she graduated from high school she moved to Edmond to attend Central State University. She used to say, because of the war, there were only 7 men at the university at that time. After college she worked at Tinker Air Force Base. She had to carpool to get to work in those days which was a good thing because that’s how she met her husband, Don Hutchison. She said he used to sit behind her and pull her hair to get her attention. They eloped to Marietta, Ok, in November of 1959. They wanted to get married there because it was in Love County.
Shirley worked at the Veterans Health Administration Hospital for 25 years as a Secretary for Dr. Kuekes. Their friendship continued on even after retirement.
Her great joy was to be able to share her blessings with her friends and family, especially around the holidays. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas family & friends from long ago or a new friend to the area were always found around her table.
Another tradition that she loved was listening to the live band music at Ingrid’s. She looked forward all week to spending time with her sister Geraldine and friends every Saturday, remembering the great old songs from the past.
Shirley was a strong, steady reliable person who loved God without fail. If she said she would do it, you could consider it done. She had the kindest heart and a loyal soul. She loved her family so much. They were everything to her and we will always miss her until we can see her again.
Shirley’s legacy lives on within her: daughter, Jeri Hutchison; son, Don Hutchison and wife Shawna Hutchison; and granddaughter, Jennifer Mayfield; and a multitude of nieces and nephews all of who she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Hutchison, her mother and father, Claude and Lucy West, brother Dean West, sister Virginia Mahen, brother Jerry West, sister Arlene Wethered, and sister Geraldine Smith.
Visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral home on Thursday, October 3, 2019, from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Shirley Hutchison on Friday, October 4th at 2:00pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home located at 8701 NW Expressway, in Oklahoma City, OK.
