Shirley Corley

ARNOLD MOORE & NEEKAMP FUNERAL HOME, BARTLESVILLE, OK - Shirley J. Corley, age 77, and longtime resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. Shirley Jean Russell was born in Ogdensburg, NY on February 8, 1938 as the only child of Joseph Avila Russell and Orphia Glendoria (Elms) Russell, who passed away shortly after Shirley's birth. Growing up, Shirley lived in Jamestown, Arkansas until she moved to Amarillo, Texas where she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Leroy and Quincy Cross. She attended Amarillo schools where she graduated high school and continued her education by attending Amarillo College. When she was just 18, Shirley met the love of her life, Donald Gene Corley, in Cactus, Texas. They met in the fall while working together at Phillips Petroleum Company and were married in Dumas, Texas the following spring on March 9, 1957. They lived in Dumas, Texas before moving to Bartlesville, Oklahoma for the first time. Don and Shirley had four children (David, Randy and Valerie born in Dumas, and Deanna born in Bartlesville). The family moved several times with the company, living in Fritch, Texas, and then in Stavanger, Norway, before moving back to Bartlesville once again to stay. Shirley was a homemaker for many years and later worked as an executive assistant at Phillips until she and Don retired. Shirley was a loving and thoughtful wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed many activities over the years, including square dancing, bowling, golfing, puzzles and games, watching the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys, and spent many hours playing bridge with her friends at the Bartlesville 55+ Center. She enjoyed nature and animals, especially horses and dogs, travel and of course, Elvis…but most of all, she adored her family and treasured every moment spent with them. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Gene (Feb. 12, 2010); and their eldest son, David Eugene (May 14, 2006). Shirley is survived by her children, Randy Corley and his wife, Kathleen, of Arlington Heights, Illinois; Valerie Toalson and her husband, Wayne, of Sugar Land, Texas; and Deanna Payton of Stillwater, Oklahoma, as well as seven grandchildren, Kristen and Jenny (Randy's), Emily, Rachel and Eric (Valerie's), and Riley and Mackenzie (Deanna's). The family suggests memorials in Shirley's memory may be made to the Bartlesville 55+ Activity Center, 1400 S.E. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Come and go visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:00 pm-8:00 pm in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave. Family will be present to greet friends from 4:00-6:00 pm. Services will be held on Monday at 10:00 am in Bartlesville First Church, 4715 Price Rd., Bartlesville. Rev. Dr. Kevin Tully will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Memorial Park Cemetery

Visitation Details

Saturday, November 14th, 2015 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Sunday, November 15th, 2015 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, November 16th, 2015 10:00am

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville