Shirley J. Davis

Shirley J. Davis, 88, of Topeka passed away Sunday, October 30, 2022 at McCrite Plaza Assisted Living in Topeka, Kansas.

She was born July 25, 1934, in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of George and Lula (Haydon) Rice.

She graduated from Hannibal High School in 1952. She went to Secretarial School and won many awards for her speed in short hand. If you look at some of her notes she would take in her meetings you would see her short hand throughout all of her notes.

Shirley was employed as an Executive Assistant at Coldwell-Banker Griffith & Blair for 32 years, retiring in 2007. Shirley was known for her kindness and helping everyone. She was also the only one who knew how to work the phone system there. Thirty of those years were spent working alongside her husband, Drennan. While Drennan spent 22 years in the Air Force, Shirley did too. Holding many positions for the NCO Wives Club helping other military families and spouses. Shirley and Drennan moved their family all over the United States from base to base. Shirley held down the household for a year while Drennan served in Vietnam.

Shirley was a woman of Christian Faith and was involved in numerous church activities as a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Topeka. She made many lifetime friends there and was a member of the Faith Builder's Sunday School Class. Her dear friends the Ogle's, Terhune's and Jenny made sure she got to church every Sunday.

Shirley married Drennan E. Davis on September 14, 1952 in Hannibal, Missouri. He preceded her in death on April 15, 2005. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sisters, Dorothy Griffith and Marjorie Smith.

Survivors include her children Michael (Mark) of Sacramento, California, Linda (Trent), Tim (Lori) and Richard (Brenda) all of Topeka; eight grandchildren, Derek Hein, Jennifer Tims (Paul), Nicholas Davis, (Melanie) Dillon Davis, Kelsey Davis, Kurtis Fitchpatrick, Katie Kohn (Will) and Aaron Davis; nine great-grandchildren, Jack Hein, Sadie Hein, Silas Hein, Porter Tims, Crew Tims, Drennan Davis, Avery Davis, Maisie Davis, and another great-granddaughter on the way.

Shirley met Stan Brown in 2008 and they fell in love sharing a 15 year commitment. Shirley and Stan traveled and did a lot of volunteer work together. Shirley and Stan lived at McCrite Plaza in Topeka for 10 years where the staff loved and cared for them. This was evident at the end of Shirley and Stan's life. They both starred in several of McCrite's commercials. Shirley had many friends there. She and her two dear friends were affectionately known as "Shirley and the Barbs".

Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and attending all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities and celebrations.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be held 11:00 am Thursday, November, 10, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, 3033 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS 66610. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am - 10:45 am.

Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610 is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 3033 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS 66610 or to McCrite Plaze, 1608 SW 37th St., Topeka, KS 66611.

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