Shirley Simms Godley

Shirley was raised in the small town of Kiowa, Colorado, and graduated from High School. Her father, Lloyd Moreland owned a movie theater in Kiowa in addition to his job, and Shirley spent much time as a kid helping by selling popcorn to the movie goers. She always joked that then she would have to sweep up most of the popcorn she sold that was spilled in between movies. Shirley's father, Lloyd Moreland passed away when she was twelve years old, and her mother worked as the County Clerk at the Kiowa courthouse until she retired. Shirley had two older brothers, Leland and Don who she looked up to, and who helped take care of their little sister. Her oldest brother Leland was killed in a motorcycle accident when Shirley was in high school, but she talked about Leland her entire life.

Upon graduation, Shirley moved to Denver to work and go to school. On July 6, 1947, Shirley married Hap Godley, upon his return from the US Navy, and they moved to a ranch northeast of Elizabeth, Colorado. She became a ranch wife, and also helped with the farm auctions that her husband sold as auctioneer. As a "town girl" her friends couldn’t understand why she moved "out to the boondocks."

In the early 1950's Shirley and Hap moved to a different ranch just outside of Elizabeth, and in 1955 their son, Gary was born. They lived on this ranch until 1975, as well a running a business in Castle Rock.

In 1976 the couple moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado, and then in 1980 to a ranch in Sheridan, Wyoming. 1991 was their final move to Casper, Wyoming, where they lived for the next 28 years. Her husband, Hap passed away at age 95 in 2015. Shirley and Hap were married for 68 years.

Shirley had the heart of an artist. She played piano and taught piano to younger students, and was the church pianist at Elizabeth Presbyterian church for a few years. Shirley also took up painting in her forties, and had a real talent. Her intricate needlepoint creations are extremely detailed. On the practical side, she also knitted incredible sweaters for her son, and also for friends. She refurbished and restored many old antiques back into beautiful and useful pieces. At the top of that list was an intricate old piano from around 1915 that her son still has.

Shirley also loved gardening and growing flowers. In 1976 she was able to travel to Europe with her son for a month, and was a trip that she talked about her whole life.

Shirley was a kind and very loving person who was easy to talk to. Although she was a bit of a loner, she was a person who was well liked, could see the humor in things, and was someone you could always count on.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Hap, her parents Lloyd and Delpha Moreland, and her two brothers Leland and Don Moreland. Shirley is survived by her son and daughter in law Gary and Cheryl Godley; by nephews Jay Godley, Dick Moreland and David Moreland; and by nieces Barbara Daugherty and Sandra Peif.

Donations can be made to in Shirley's name to Guide Dogs for the Blind, PO Box 151200, San Rafael CA 94915-1200