Shirley Marshall

Shirley May Marshall, 72, of Norman passed peacefully on Monday, August 8, 2022.  Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, she moved often as a child, spending her favorite three years in Morocco.  She would return to Massachusetts, graduate high school, and later settle in Oklahoma.

Shirley was widowed in 2019 from her husband of 36 years and best friend, John.  They met dancing, at The Westerneer Ballroom on the outskirts of Norman, and were married weeks later.  Together they raised a daughter and three sons, later seeing three grandchildren born.  While working at Tinker Air Force Base, the University of Oklahoma, and the City of Norman, Shirley displayed her many talents, while maintaining an active presence in her children’s lives.  She used her wide personal network, university colleagues, and Norman Police friends to monitor her children and report back.

Her interests were always centered around family and friends, and she was always the first to help anyone in need (or volunteer her children to do so).  So many lifelong friendships were created and fostered during the kids’ sports, clubs, and school events; though she wasn’t shy to chat up someone new at any store or restaurant when out by herself.  She loved a good prank, anything Elvis, and was proud of her unlikely adventures (including a cross-country road trip in a motorcycle sidecar).  She will be remembered most for her quick wit, ornery streak, and her want to throw a party for any reason.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Carisa (Mike) McCarty and granddaughter Shianne of Norman; sons John (Jenna) and grandchildren Max and Nora of Highlands Ranch, CO, Jeryl of Norman, and Jason of Fayetteville, AR.  She is also survived by her sister Mary Ann (David) Hallman of Ninety Six, SC; step-mother Maria Ensey; and aunt Filiberta Chittum of Oklahoma City; her first husband and lifelong friend Tom Newman; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband John Marshall; brother John Wayne Jones; niece Amy Hallman; father James S. Jones, Jr; mother Diane Marie Rollande Brodeur; and step-father Jeryl Ensey.