Shirley Mae Garrison, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on July 5, 2026, surrounded by her family at the age of 83 in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma.
Shirley was born on December 20, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri to Phillip Jarrett Jr. and Alma Viola (Troutman) Williamson. The family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas when Shirley and her sister Kay were little, the move provided employment opportunities. Shirley’s parents divorced. Her mom remarried and they had a loving stepdad, Francis Williamson. Shirley treasured summers in Texas that she spent with her Aunt Lula who was very influential in her life.
Shirley attended school in Coffeyville graduating from Field Kindley Memorial High School and continued her education at CCJC until she tragically lost her sister Kay and a 3-year-old niece in a car wreck. The tragedy was more than she could bear.
On December 3, 1961, Shirley married Charles Robert Garrison and made Coffeyville their home. On April 1, 1965, she and Charles purchased Burkhart Glass and Muffler from Marion Burkhart where they continued until 1999 when they sold the business to retire. Charles preceded her in death in May of 2003. Shortly after her retirement, Shirley began substitute teaching in Copan until she found the perfect job at Jane Phillips in purchasing. Shirley was so proud that she was able to work until the age of 75 and retired after 14 years of service and was lovingly known as the “Diaper Lady”.
Shirley and Charles were members of the Valeda United Methodist Church and in later years, they moved to Copan and attended Copan United Methodist Church.
Shirley faced many hardships and knew that love was important and she did just that, she loved her family unconditionally and enjoyed spending time with them. Her grandchildren have fond memories of spending the summers in the pool with grandma. She also greatly enjoyed shopping, traveling, her dogs, her annual trip to War Eagle craft fair, reading, and oh did we mention shopping, fishing particularly for catfish.
On Sunday July 5th she was lovingly greeted by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven along with her husband, Charles, her daughter Shelly Kay Beaston, her dad Phillip Jarrett Jr., her mom Viola and stepdad Francis Williamson, her sister Kay and Aunt Lula Campbell.
Her family that will cherish fond memories and carry on her legacy are her son Ron Garrison and wife Robin, Bill Garrison and wife Gayla, son-in-law, Mike Beaston, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
A graveside celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Dewey Cemetery in Dewey, Oklahoma at 10am. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville from 5-7 pm. To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit Shirley’s obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
