Shirley Jean Byers

Shirley Jean Byers was born May 27, 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of John Rollan ''Burhead'' Roberts, Sr. and Ida Maxine Chemishire Roberts. Shirley was raised in Hominy and attended school there, graduating from Hominy High School in 1957.

After graduation, Shirley worked for Munsingwear in Hominy for a short time before moving to Sundown, Texas where she resided with her aunt for a couple of years. She also worked in New York City for a while before returning to Hominy where she met the love of her life, Jim Byers. The couple dated for about eight months before being married on June 2, 1965 in Morrisville, New York.

The couple established their home in Cleveland and had one daughter, Rolinda Ann. Shirley dedicated her life to taking care of her husband and daughter and was always been there when they needed her. Shirley seemed to receive the most from life when she was helping her family and those around her. In meeting her family's needs, Shirley developed a love for cooking and sewing. She especially enjoyed gardening and canning vegetables. Often when Shirley was away from Cleveland with her husband, Jim on jobs, she would begin a new craft project and there was always something new to hang on the porch or around the yard when they returned.

Shirley was extremely proud of her daughter, Rolinda and her accomplishments. She especially enjoyed spending time on Mom's Weekend at the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. However, she was overjoyed with the birth of her granddaughter, Brianne a couple of years ago.

Shirley has been a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. She has been providing care for her mother in her home for the past four years, continuing her lifelong passion of helping others. Shirley passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2001 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of sixty-three years, three months and sixteen days. She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, John Rollan Roberts, Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Jim of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Rolinda and Harm Dunlap of Allen, Texas; granddaughter, Brianne Nicole Dunlap of Allen, Texas and her mother, Maxine Roberts of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 17, 2001 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Dr. Larry Wilson and Rev. George Boston officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.