Charolet Shirley

Charolet Shirley Obituary

Charolet Lu Shirley (Leiblie) of Oklahoma City passed away peacefully, with her children by her side, on September 11, 2024. She was the oldest of three children born to Clarence and Evelyn (Dice) Leiblie on February 24, 1937.

Charolet grew up in Blackwell, OK, and attended Blackwell Public Schools. There, she met the love of her life, Earl (Sam) Shirley, and they wed on March 30, 1956. They soon moved to San Diego, CA, where they had three of their children before moving back to Blackwell in 1960. After returning, they welcomed their fourth child. Charolet was very active in raising her children, becoming involved in the schools they attended and in the First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and hosted many young teen events. She was also involved in the Jaycee Janes for many years.

Charolet later returned to school at Northern Oklahoma College, earning her associate's degree in Accounting. She worked for many years at Acme Foundry before leaving Blackwell to follow her husband to Bartlesville, where she was a bookkeeper for several different companies. She also took up square and round dancing. After several moves with her husband, they ended up in Clarksville, TN, where she continued her dancing and involvement in her church.

After her husband’s passing on May 14, 2001, Charolet relocated to Oklahoma City to be near her children and grandchildren. She frequently traveled to New Jersey and Northern Virginia to visit family and made several trips to China and Australia to visit her youngest son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. She was a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church, where she participated in the choir, the BALL club, and helped immigrants learn English. She also volunteered at Will Rogers Airport, served as treasurer of her sorority, and played bridge in several clubs.

In April 2010, she married Vernon Day of Oklahoma City. Their union lasted until his death in May 2014. Charolet lived a full and loving life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Shirley; her son, Tracy Shirley; and her second husband, Vernon Day.

Charolet adored her husband, Sam. She loved and supported her children and cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her compassion and ability to expand her heart to love those in her path have become beacons of hope for hundreds, including latchkey neighborhood children, travelers caught in snowstorms, and newcomers to the community.

She is survived by her daughter Natalie Shirley and husband Bill Schraegle of Oklahoma City; son Nathan Shirley and wife Diana Escueta of Oklahoma City; daughter-in-law Shari Shirley of Newcastle, OK; and daughter Leslie Shirley and husband Joe Atamaniuk of Ringwood, NJ. She also leaves behind grandchildren Zi Harrison, Katie Fikes and husband Miles, Charlotte Harrison, Chase Harrison, Ross Harrison, Kendall Harrison, Parker Shirley, Jeff Shirley and wife Cassidy, Joseph Atamaniuk, Michael Atamaniuk, Daniel Shirley, and Meili Shirley, as well as two great-grandchildren, Kaishaun Fikes and Cirilla Shirley.

A special thank you to Heaven House, Joann Skyes, and the entire staff for the loving care provided over the past two years. Your warm hearts were a blessing to us all.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for November 23, 2024, at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK, at 10:00 AM, with burial in Blackwell, OK, at 3:00 PM. As red was Mom's favorite color, feel free to wear red in her honor.