In Memory Of
Shirley Ray Maples
1923
2015
Shirley Ray Maples
January 9, 1923 — December 13, 2015
Shirley Ray Maples, Sr., 92, of Topeka, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 13, 2015. He was born January 9, 1923 in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Harry Maples and Lucille Palmer.
Shirley moved to Topeka at an early age and graduated from Topeka High School. He served in World War II in the Army. He enlisted in 1943 to help his mother who was working 8-10 hour days for $16 a week and couldn't make ends meet.
Segregation was a way of life at that time, even for the soldiers who were serving our country. "Uniform or no, we sat on the back of the bus," he said. He sailed to Europe on the USS Susan B. Anthony in an 18 ship convoy with a submarine guard due to the many attacks on ships in the North Atlantic from the Germans. He landed on Omaha Beach 10 days after the June 6, 1943, invasion and with his unit followed the front lines through France, Belgium and Germany supplying the troops. He narrowly escaped a bombing in Paris and witnessed the horrors of the concentration camps in Germany. Later, three of his boys would enter the service as well and his younger boy would be wounded in Vietnam.
He was of the Baptist Faith. Shirley was employed by Walgreens Drug Stores for over 40 years. He was a member of the American Legion. He became a Foster Grandparent when he was 80 and was assigned to Triss, who lived at KNI. His face lit up when he talked about his memories of Triss. "I used to take him home with me," Shirley would say…."He was a character, very funny and mischievous." Shirley was a bit mischievous himself, but also very energetic. He had strong opinions and a fantastic memory. He attributed his longevity to working hard and living right. He said, "I never (here he mimed bringing a drink to his mouth) bent my elbow like some do." It was clear that he didn't approve of that kind of behavior.
Survivors include his children, Joseph David Maples, Belinda Cheatham, Julia Bryant, Timothy Maples, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and his sister, Ramona Medley.
Shirley is preceded in death by his parents, children, Ronnie Eugene Maples, Shirley Ray Maples, Jr. and Nancy Sue Maples and his brother, James Maples.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
To leave the family a special message, please select the share memories option above.
Shirley moved to Topeka at an early age and graduated from Topeka High School. He served in World War II in the Army. He enlisted in 1943 to help his mother who was working 8-10 hour days for $16 a week and couldn't make ends meet.
Segregation was a way of life at that time, even for the soldiers who were serving our country. "Uniform or no, we sat on the back of the bus," he said. He sailed to Europe on the USS Susan B. Anthony in an 18 ship convoy with a submarine guard due to the many attacks on ships in the North Atlantic from the Germans. He landed on Omaha Beach 10 days after the June 6, 1943, invasion and with his unit followed the front lines through France, Belgium and Germany supplying the troops. He narrowly escaped a bombing in Paris and witnessed the horrors of the concentration camps in Germany. Later, three of his boys would enter the service as well and his younger boy would be wounded in Vietnam.
He was of the Baptist Faith. Shirley was employed by Walgreens Drug Stores for over 40 years. He was a member of the American Legion. He became a Foster Grandparent when he was 80 and was assigned to Triss, who lived at KNI. His face lit up when he talked about his memories of Triss. "I used to take him home with me," Shirley would say…."He was a character, very funny and mischievous." Shirley was a bit mischievous himself, but also very energetic. He had strong opinions and a fantastic memory. He attributed his longevity to working hard and living right. He said, "I never (here he mimed bringing a drink to his mouth) bent my elbow like some do." It was clear that he didn't approve of that kind of behavior.
Survivors include his children, Joseph David Maples, Belinda Cheatham, Julia Bryant, Timothy Maples, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and his sister, Ramona Medley.
Shirley is preceded in death by his parents, children, Ronnie Eugene Maples, Shirley Ray Maples, Jr. and Nancy Sue Maples and his brother, James Maples.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
To leave the family a special message, please select the share memories option above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Ray Maples, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, December 17, 2015
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southeast
Memorial Service
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southeast
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