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SHAFER
William (Bill) Noel Shafer, age 87 of Altus, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 29, 2006 at Tamarack
Retirement Center.
Bill was born on May 11, 1919 at Tishomingo, Oklahoma to Henry Noel and Dulcie (Smith) Shafer. He graduated
from Dickson High School in Carter County in 1937 and received a bachelor’s degree in industrial education from
East Central State Teachers’ College in 1941. On September 5, 1940 he married Norma Lou McClain in Durant
and they spent fifty wonderful years together before her death in 1991.
Bill was a vocational counselor at Ft. Sam Houston during World War II. He taught industrial education at
Seminole Junior College before being employed by Altus Junior College in 1948. He earned a master’s degree in
industrial education from Oklahoma State University in 1951.
Shafer created the drafting department at Altus Junior College, when classes were held in an old barracks building
near the Altus High School. Known for his humor, Shafer said that he and Mason Dickerson, former speech
instructor, called his first drafting class a “cla” because it wasn’t big enough to need a whole word to describe it.
Asked if the 1976 move to the current campus was difficult, Shafer said, “Not really. All I had to move was my
grade book. We didn’t have money for anything else.”
Bill always spoke fondly of his days at Western Oklahoma State College and the Altus community. “The faculty
was just like a big old family and had a lot of fun. If I had a choice and had it to do over, I’d pick Altus, ” he said.
A member of the Oklahoma Education Association, National Education Association, and the IOTA LAMBA
SIGMA at OSU, he attended the First Baptist Church of Altus.
Preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Norma Lou, two brothers and one sister, Bill is survived by three
children, William N. Shafer, Jr. and wife Lexa Kay of Norman, Gary Mark Shafer of Boca Rotan, Florida and
Gina Huey and husband Clark of Altus; three grandchildren, Steven Noel Shafer of San Diego, California, Shawn
Renee Shafer of Burbank, California and Andrew Taylor Huey of Victoria, Texas along with many other relatives
and friends.
Funeral services
for Bill Shafer will be Friday, September 1, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel
with Rev. David Player and Jerry Don Henry officiating. Interment will follow at Altus City Cemetery under the
direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
The family of Bill Shafer will greet friends at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6 until 7 p.m.
Velma Lee Shaw
Velma Lee Shaw, age 91, of Blair, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, May 6, 2005 at Jackson County Memorial
Hospital.
She was born on March 27, 1914 in Duncan, Oklahoma to George & Annie (Wooliver) Scruggs.
As a young child Velma’s parents moved from Duncan to Blair where she attended Blair Schools. On August 8,
1930 Velma married Leonard B. Shaw in Blair, Oklahoma. Together they farmed for many years. Leonard
preceded her in death on June 26, 2000.
Velma enjoyed being a homemaker and was a life long member of the Blair Church of Christ
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Adrain Scruggs.
Velma is survived by three sons, Jerry Shaw and wife Myrna of Whitney, TX, Lyndell Shaw and wife Fran of Blair,
OK, Larry Shaw and wife Vicky of Blair, OK; one daughter, Erma Osborne of Blair, OK.; 12 grandchildren,
Sherry, Doug, Tana, Scott, Vicki, Debra, Cindy, Lyle, Lee, Wesley, Kim and Greg; 22 great grandchildren,
Breanna, J.D., Lainey, River John, Maria, Clint, Rocky, James, Jeff, Stoney, Shanna, Candy, Kendalyn, Garrett,
Hayden, Kendra and Cheston; 7 great, great grandchildren, Parker, Kristen, Lundyn, Austin, Blake, Ashley and
Brandon; one sister, Valice Reid of Edmond, OK; one brother, Jimmy Scruggs of Grapevine, TX.
Services will be held Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Blair, OK with Pastor
Randy Mitchell and Arden Hinton officiating. Interment will follow at the Blair Cemetery, under the direction of
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family of Velma L. Shaw will greet guests Monday, May 9, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
SHEPPARD
Rex Gilbert Sheppard, age 72, of Mangum, passed away early Monday morning, April 13, 2009, at Comanche
County Memorial Hospital in Lawton.
Rex was born on August 13, 1936, in Fairview, Oklahoma to Gilbert and Luella (Stark) Sheppard. After
graduating from Eastview High School in 1955, he married the love of his life, Mary Beth Barker, on July 1, 1956,
in Granite. They spent the next fifty-two wonderful years together before her death on September 23, 2008. An
expert mechanic most of his life, Rex loved working on and restoring old cars, but the things he loved the most of all
in his life was taking care of his family, especially his great grandchildren who were “his babies”.
Preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Mary, and his sister, Karol Clayton, Rex is survived by one
daughter, Sherrie Denise Kendall and husband Keith of Mangum; two grandsons, Jeremy Brandon Kendall and wife
Jaclyn of Mangum and Nicholas Keith Kendall and wife Kassi of Mangum; three great grandchildren, Jayli Elizabeth
Kendall, J.J. Kendall and Alexa Mekale Kendall all of Mangum and many other relatives and a host of dear friends.
Funeral services for Rex Sheppard will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the Abundant Life Church
with Brother Jeff Dill officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral
Home of Mangum.
The family will greet friends on Tuesday evening, April 14, 2009, from 6 until 7 p.m. at Greer Funeral Home.
SYBLE SHIPMAN
Syble Melvina Shipman, age 90 of Tipton, OK, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2005 at Plantation Village
Nursing Center. Mrs. Shipman was born in Georgia on April 25, 1914 to James Allen & Maddie (Frost) Maxwell.
Syble married William Matterson Shipman on June 26, 1940 in Sulphur, Oklahoma. He preceeded her in death in
1965. Syble moved from Vernon, Texas to the Altus/Tipton area 15 years ago. She attended the Church of Christ.
She was also preceeded in death by her parents; 3 brothers; 1 sister; and 1 infant daughter.
Syble is survived by 5 children, Maxine Blevins of Olney, Texas; Flora Baldwin of Tipton, Oklahoma; Sandra Sue
Lawson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Wayne Shipman & his wife Cheryi of Weatherford, Texas; Velma Harrell &
her husband Charlie of Altus, Oklahoma. 1 sister, Gladys Yeager of Tularie, California; 36 Grandchildren; a host of
Great-grandchildren; a host of Great-Great-grandchildren; a host of Great-Great-Great-grandchildren; and numerous
other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Syble Shipman are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at the Lowell-Tims
Chapel with Pastor Lionel Mounce officiating. Interment will follow at the Davidson Cemetery, Davidson, Oklahoma
under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Visitation with the family of Syble Shipman will be on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Kay Duke Shirley
Kay Duke Shirley, 51, of Oklahoma City, passed away at her residence Monday, August 23.
Kay was born February 2, 1953, in Altus, Oklahoma, to Eugene and Susie (Miller) Welch. She married Jerry
Duke February 19, 1971, in Altus and he preceded her in death August 25, 2003. Kay married Sid Shirley March
19, 2004 in Norman, Oklahoma.
Kay was a very dedicated wife and mother and loved working with children. She attended WOSC in Altus where
she earned an Associate’s Degree and continued her education in Weatherford where she earned her B.A. in
education. She taught school for a short time before turning her career in another direction. She obtained a
business degree at the University of North Texas in Denton. She later went to nursing school where she earned her
LPN license. She was just getting ready to enroll in RN school when she was diagnosed with cancer. She worked
at the OU Health Sciences Center for a pediatric neurosurgeon and was loved by her young patients.
Kay is survived by her husband, Sid Shirley, of the home in Oklahoma City; 8 children, Jerry Duke Jr. and wife
Susan of Granbury, Texas, Kimberly McElhany and husband Dan of Crockett, Texas, Jeff Duke and wife Toni of
San Diego, CA, Kim Ables of Bethany, Oklahoma, Minda Holiday and husband Jamie of Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, Kellina Clay and husband Chris of Yukon, Oklahoma, Joy Smith of Norman, Oklahoma and Kristal
Yelsen and husband Chris of Jones, Oklahoma, Three Brothers Robert Miller of Altus, Oklahoma, David Welch of
Altus, Oklahoma and Dale Welch of Altus, Oklahoma and one sister LaDonna Adams of Altus, Oklahoma, 11
grandchildren Jacob Duke, Emily Duke, Zachery McElhany, Jarvis McElhany, Christina McElhany, Ashley
McElhany, Kayla Shirley, Sydney Clay, Russell Burgett. Mason Holiday and Cody Yelsen
Kay is preceded in death by her parents, husband and Brother Dwain Welch.
Service will be held Thursday, August 26, 2004 at 1:00pm at Victory Baptist Church in Altus with Rev. T.J.
Willingham officiating. Interment will follow at the Warren Cemetery. Under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral
Home.
The family will greet guest Wednesday, August 25, 2004 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Lou Ann Shorney
Lou Ann Shorney was born April 21, 1932 in Jackson County near Friendship, Oklahoma. She entered into rest
July 26, 2009 in Altus, Oklahoma.
She was the daughter of the late Henry Wiginton and Lou Baker. She attended and graduated from Altus High
School in 1950. She married Sonny Tims and, to this union, three children were born: Terry, Pam, and Timmy
Tims. She worked for Tims Funeral Home for 20 years.
Upon leaving Altus, Lou Ann moved to Norman, Oklahoma where the University of Oklahoma employed her as
the Executive Basketball Secretary. She served the University under the coaching of Dave Bliss and Billy Tubbs.
She retired from the University of Oklahoma after thirtreen years of service. While in Norman, she met and married
Bob Shorney in 1980. She and Bob were members of the University of Oklahoma Tip In Club and endlessly
supported the Sooners. Following the death of her husband Bob, she moved back to Altus to be close to her
grandchildren. She followed every activity in which her grandchildren participated. Western Oklahoma State
College then employed her in the Athletic Department where all the students extended her youth, and the faculty
became like family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, loved playing Bingo, and adored her
three grandchildren.
Lou Ann was preceded in death by her husband Bob Shorney, Father and Mother, Lou and Henry Wiginton,
brother Dow Wiginton, and Sister Earlene Wiginton. Survivors include: Terry Tims and wife Barbara of Altus, Pam
Tims of Oklahoma City, Timmy Tims and wife Amber of Altus. Three grandchildren: Tyler Tims and wife Kara of
Altus, Taylor Camp and husband Al of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Evan Tims of Altus. Also survived are a host
of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A person who loved without judgment, supported without question, and encouraged with the fullest of grace, Lou
Ann embodied these things. To know Lou Ann was to know true joy and unconditional love. With each
encounter a person understood what real love was. And, with ‘Real [love], you can’t be ugly, except to people
who don’t understand.’ (Velveteen Rabbit) The lives of those who knew her are greater having experienced her
great love and compassion.
Services for Lou Ann Shorney will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist
Church with Reverend David Player and Reverend Keith Wiginton officiating. Interment will be in the Altus
Cemetery. The family of Lou Ann Shorney will greet friends Tuesday, July 28, 2009, from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm
at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorials in honor of Lou Ann may be made to the First United Methodist Church building fund or Western
Oklahoma State College or the charity of your choice.
James C. Shrum
James Cravens Shrum, 81, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at the English Village Manor in Altus where
he had been a resident for several years.
Jim was born April 28, 1924, in Eldorado, Oklahoma, to Eddie Cravens and Edith Eleanor (Daniels) Shrum. After
his mother’s death when he was four, he, his brother Larry, and sister, Evelyn were raised in Eldorado by their
maternal grandparents, James and Mary Daniels. His father later married Flossie Scroggins.
On December 21, 1942, Jim and Sudie Mae Smith were united in marriage in Altus. He entered the United States
Army June 4, 1943, serving with the 10th Mountain Division. He served his country during World War II,
participating in campaigns in North Africa, Germany, and France before being wounded at Lake Gada, Italy. He
received numerous medals including the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal,
the Purple Heart Medal, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and a Presidential Citation. He
was discharged as a Corporal on March 19, 1947.
Upon his discharge, he returned to his wife in Eldorado where he was involved in farming for many years. He
became a heavy equipment operator for Jackson County and moved to Olustee in 1963. Jim worked with heavy
equipment for various companies and individuals for over 30 years. He and Sudie Mae enjoyed 35 wonderful years
together before her death on May 3, 1978.
Jim enjoyed hunting, coin collecting, and was an avid fisherman. His favorite times were family camping trips on the
Daniels homeplace south of Eldorado. He was a longtime member of the Olustee Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cravens Shrum, Edith Shrum, and Flossie Shrum; his grandparents, Jim
and Mary Daniels; three wives, Sudie Mae Shrum in 1978, Juanita Shrum in 1994, and Mary Ann Foster Shrum in
2002; one son, Eddie Glenn Shrum in 1987; two brothers, Larry Shrum and Waylon Shrum; and by one sister, Mary
Evelyn Bailey.
Jim is lovingly survived by his son, Jimmy Shrum of Russell, Oklahoma and a very special daughter-in-law, Karen
Shrum of Russell; three granddaughters: Mary Mae and husband, Tony Guevara of Hollis and their children Ashley
Mae and Anthony Guevara; Christina and husband, Allen Collins of Altus and their children, Dakota, Canyon and
Journey Perkins and Jace Collins; Kerry Shrum and Chris Spalding and children, Cherokee and Christopher Johnson
and Christopher Spalding Jr.; and by one grandson, Jimmy A. Shrum, Jr. and wife Callista and their children, J.T.
and Kaydee Shrum. Also surviving are two brothers, Donald and Carolyn Shrum of Quanah, Tx. And Weldon and
Di Ann Shrum of Kamay, Tx.; two sisters, Joyce Edmonds of Quanah, Tx. and Marie and Corky
Clayburgh of Sheridan, Wy.; and by a host of nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Graveside services were held Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at the Eldorado Cemetery with Bud Adkins officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Homes.
