Shirley Ann McCool was born to Everett and Carrie Faye (Davis) Haas near Ft. Cobb, OK. She grew up on farms in and around this area. She graduated from Ft. Cobb High School where she was an accomplished singer and was active in the musicals and school plays. Shirley had the voice of an angel and a smile that lit up the room. We always said she had laughing eyes. Her love of music followed her to Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK. After 2 years, she had to make a tough decision. She wed Philip Richardson and moved to New Mexico.

Shirley continued her education at the University of New Mexico. During this time, the Baptist choir girl became a member of the Church of Christ. Singing a cappella at church helped her harmonize even better. She also worked at the Air Force Base and got her foot in the door. She had 3 children and they moved back to Oklahoma. The marriage ended in 1969.

Shirley went to work at Tinker Air Force Base. She started as a secretary and worked he way up to being a program manager for the KC-135 refueling plane. She retired as the program manager for Air Force One.

In 1990, Shirley met Rex McCool at the Prairie Lone reunion that she had taken her mom to. They were married in 1991 and remained happily married until his death.

Shirley was a member in New Mexico of the Order of the Eastern Star. She had a real estate license, was a member of Toastmasters, and also a member of the OKC Sweet Adelines Chorus.

Shirley was a kind, loving, generous person and servant for the Lord. She was a member of Northwest Church of Christ and actively helped elderly members by visiting, taking them shopping, doing laundry or whatever they needed. She was devoted to her family and was a wonderful mother who made it a point to instill these qualities in her children.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Rex; and brother, Glenn Haas.

She is survived by sons, Stephen (Diane) Richardson and Tony Richardson; daughter, Diane (Dennis) Patterson; step-children, Scott (Pam) Todd and Kelly (Paige) McCool; grandchildren, Audrey (Stefan) Armstrong, Lindsey (Jeff) Coffey, Zac (Kendra) Richardson, Erick (Ashley) Patterson, Megan McCool, Molly McCool, Abigail McCool, Jake McCool, Faryn McCool and Cade McCool; great-grandchildren, Carrie, Braydn, Ryder, Tatum, Timbrlyn, Jhett, Remington and Everett; and many dear nieces and nephews, brothers-in- law and sisters-in-law.

Many thanks to Russell Murray Hospice and Shirley's wonderful caregivers, Esmerelda, Lourdes, TeEra and Marijane who made a difference in her life and helped Diane and Tony get her through this journey. We will miss her but she will shine on in our hearts and minds forever.

Viewing at Mercer-Adams is Thursday, 9am-8pm with family present from 5-7pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 14, 10:00am at Mercer-Adams Chapel. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma will follow at 2:00pm.