Shirley Brownlee

The funeral for Shirley Mae Brownlee, 92, was Saturday, Dec. 16, at First Christian Church of Stillwater officiated by Rev. Sondra Ladd.

Graveside services followed at Hennessey Cemetery under the direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home, Hennessey.

Shirley was born in Oklahoma City on Sept. 3, 1931, to Irl Russell and Vida Mae Curnutt Doolittle and died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa.

She lived in Fittstown and attended McLish Public Schools, graduating in 1949.

She attended East Central State College in Ada and Oklahoma State University (A&M College), graduating in 1953 with majors in home economics and physical education and recreation.

She later obtained a master’s degree in education from Central State College in Edmond.

She married Cecil Edwin Brownlee on Dec. 22, 1953, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Tulsa.

Shirley taught school in Hennessey from 19661984 where she started the girls high school basketball program.

Most of these years were spent teaching sixth grade science and social studies and coaching girls and boys fifth and sixth grade basketball teams.

Following Cecil’s retirement in 1992, they moved to Stillwater.

Shirley is survived by her husband Cecil of the home; three children, Russell Brownlee and wife Rovay of Wilburton, Sigrid Brownlee Krause and husband Greg of Tonkawa, Brett Brownlee and wife Erin of Stillwater; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Beverly Jean Duncan.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the First Christian Church of Stillwater with the funeral home serving as custodian of the funds.