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Shirley was born in Ottawa, Kansas and moved with her parents to Wichita in 1945. She graduated from North High School and attended Friends University.
She began formal piano and organ training at the age of seven, and was a protégé of the late organ master, Payola Conte of Venice, Italy. When she was twelve, Shirley won her first talent show, "Stars of Tomorrow", hosted by Henry Harvey, a local television and radio personality. At the age of thirteen, she co-hosted a television program where she performed daily.
By the age of fourteen, she was demonstrating Baldwin organs throughout the State of Kansas and supplying dinner music for local restaurants in Wichita, playing for many special banquets. At the age of sixteen, Shirley had her own weekly television program, "Melody Time", and subsequently began playing on "Organ Music and Hymns", later renamed the "Elmer Childress Show".
During her late teen years, Shirley played and sang on a weekly gospel radio program; having the opportunity to accompany many well-known gospel performers. She has also worked on stage with Hans Conreid, Vincent Price, Mona Freeman, James Brown, Reba Rambo and Dale Evans. She is a published song writer and recording artist, a teacher of piano and organ for many years, as well as a music and choir director and organist for several local churches.
Shirley has used her music talents at Broadway Mortuary since the early 1960's. She joined the staff in 1990 as office secretary. She is considered the "go-to person" whenever there is a question pertaining to legal or insurance issues. She considers her work to be a ministry where she can share a positive, caring spirit with those experiencing a loss.
Shirley has three children and two grandchildren. She continues to play for funeral services and uses her considerable talents as guest organist and/or pianist at a number of local churches.
