Shirley Elledge

Shirley June Elledge passed from this life surrounded by family on December 12, 2025, at the age of 84, in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Shirley was born on November 12, 1941, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of James Ray and Margie Pauline (Coffey) Iness. Shirley grew up and attended school in several locations across the country, as her father was a pipeliner. She later graduated from Hominy High School in 1959. Shirley began working at the Cleveland Bank as a secretary to the bank president. Shirley and her husband, Henry, along with Henry’s brother, Richard Elledge, then started and operated Elledge Music Company in Cleveland, servicing the area until the mid-1970s. She later obtained her real estate license and began working for Teter and Pore. After several years, Shirley purchased the agency, became a broker, and established Shirley Elledge and Associates Real Estate. She later returned to the banking business and worked as a vice president for Superior Bank, later known as American Heritage Bank. After several years, Shirley began working at Piping Engineering as a payroll clerk and retired in 2004.

She was a faithful servant to Jesus and St. Joseph Catholic Church. She loved working crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy!, playing Canasta, and going to monthly birthday dinners with her dear church friends. She was very proud of her family and that she raised good children, good parents, and good citizens. Shirley loved Elvis Presley and was an avid Oklahoma Sooner fan. When asked, Shirley said her perfect day would be watching an OU game with good food, surrounded by her family—which happened often.

Shirley will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her optimistic attitude, and her steady wisdom, often reminding those around her that “this too shall pass,” offering thoughtful advice and calm reassurance to everyone she met.

Survivors include her three children: Montgomery Elledge and wife Janie of Cleveland; Julie Buckland and husband Lance of Cleveland; and Whitney Bartley of Tulsa; grandchildren Megan and husband Cale, Jordan, Parker and wife Lexie, Rochelle, Abby, and Enoch; great-grandchildren Addison, Cason, Savannah, and Henry; and numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; brother, Sonny Iness; and sister, Sheila Cole.