Shirley Mae O’Bannon (née Kell) was born in Sioux City, Iowa on March 28, 1928, the first-born daughter of Edward and Lydia Kell (née Mossman). She died on October 18, 2020 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Shirley grew up during the Great Depression and WWII in the small town of Carroll, Iowa. After the war, Shirley enrolled in the University of Nebraska to attend nursing school, where she graduated and became a Registered Nurse. While in nursing school she met a returning Navy veteran and her future husband, Keith O’Bannon, who was attending college on the G.I. bill. They married in 1952 (an old maid at the advanced age of 24 as she used to say). Keith and Shirley started their lives together in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1958, they moved to Oklahoma City where she lived the rest of her life.
Shirley was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family dearly. Shirley was active in the PTA while all three of her sons attended Putnam City Schools, and always stressed the importance of education and doing one’s best. Her family remembers the many trips with their pop-up camper to Lake Tenkiller, to National Parks and to visit grandparents. Shirley was a Cub Scout Den Leader and she was extremely proud that each of her three sons and all six of her grandsons attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Shirley was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and served as an elder, deacon and Stephen minister, as well as a volunteer with the S.P.A.R.K. after-school program. She was also an excellent duplicate bridge player and a committed community volunteer, especially as a long-time docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where she developed an appreciation for Western art. Shirley had a great love of travel and during her numerous trips visited all seven continents, including a trip to Antarctica when she was in her 80s. She had many great friends, and was a great friend to many people, who we know will miss her.
Shirley is survived by her three sons: Robert and wife Karen of Edmond, Oklahoma; Jim and wife Jeannine of Dallas, Texas; and Tom and wife Kathleen of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also survived by her six grandsons: Patrick and wife Kelsey, Jeff, Cameron and wife Maya Hippensteel, Clark and wife Kate, Brian and wife Anna, and Andrew and wife Shanna. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Barbara and her only granddaughter, Colleen.
A Service to the Witness of the Resurrection for Shirley Mae O’Bannon will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 31 at 2:30 p.m. CT. Social distancing will be observed and masks are required. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, no reception will be held. The Service will be livestreamed at www.wpcokc.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, the Urban Mission or Infant Crisis Services (c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73118) or a charity of your choice.
“Into your hands, merciful Savior, we commend your sister, Shirley. Acknowledge, we humbly pray, a lamb of your own fold, a sheep of your own flock, a child of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of the glorious company of the saints, in light through Christ our Lord we pray.” Amen.
