Shirley Ann Easterling

Shirley Ann (Nicholas) Easterling died August 23rd, 2024 after a long, valiant battle with lung cancer.
Shirley was born September 13th, 1941, at Wesley Hospital in Oklahoma City to Marjorie Clara (Newberry) Nicholas and Kermit Cris Nicholas. Shirley and her twin sister, Patsy Sue, were born premature and had to spend time in the hospital before going home to the family farm where they would spend the next 18 years working in the fields and learning skills such as cooking, baking, canning, gardening and sewing. When she wasn't working on the farm or attending school, Shirley was active in 4-H Club, took piano lessons, and competed in the Grady County & Oklahoma State Fairs winning many ribbons at both.
In 1959, she graduated from Pocasset High School. In the summer of 1959, Shirley & her sister attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha. In the fall of 1959, they headed to OBU in Shawnee. After 3 semesters, they went back to OCW for one semester. In the fall of 1961, Shirley & her sister finally figured out their career path and entered the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Oklahoma City. They graduated with a Diploma in Nursing in June 1964. They passed the state boards in October 1964 and officially became Registered Nurses. After graduation, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Easterling on July 24th, 1964. Shirley worked for Dr. Thermon McInnis at McInnis Clinic in Oklahoma City until 1980 when she joined Mustang Public Schools as a School Nurse. She wanted to be able to spend more time with her husband and kids but she didn't want to give up nursing so this job was the perfect fit. She loved being a school nurse and enjoyed taking care of the kids as well as the staff. She loved to educate people and her best advice that is still being used in the schools today is "If it's warm, wet, and not yours, don't touch it!" We have no doubt this advice has saved countless lives.
Shirley and her husband Kenneth owned a couple of dry cleaning plants, the first one being K.C.'s Cleaners in Oklahoma City that they purchased in 1980. A few years later, they sold it and started Ken's Cleaners in Mustang which they operated until 1994. For several years, in addition to working as a school nurse, she completed all of the alterations for the cleaners, completing most of them late at night, long after everyone else was asleep.
In 2003, Shirley retired from Mustang Public Schools. Retirement allowed her to dive into the things she enjoyed most: spending time with her family (especially her grandkids), cooking, reading numerous books and studying the Bible.
Shirley's greatest love and best accomplishment was her family. She loved to cook and take care of them in every way possible. While her kids were young, she often served 5 course meals during the week. Her kids would rather have her cook for their birthday than go to a restaurant. She never refused an opportunity to provide a good meal. Shirley loved unconditionally and without judgement.
She was a member of Chisholm Heights Baptist Church. She poured her heart into the friends she met there and was overjoyed when the cherry cobbler or tuna casserole she brought to church gatherings was completely eaten up. She was faithful to provide food for funeral dinners hosted by the church. Her family couldn't wait for the holidays to arrive so they could dive into her pumpkin, cranberry, carrot and banana breads. She made many loaves and shared them with everyone from the mailman to her kids' co-workers.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth Easterling, brother Gary Don Nicholas and sister Patsy Sue Tapp.
She is survived by son Chris Easterling & wife Claudia of Nashville, TN; daughters Gail Easterling of OKC and Cindy Easterling McKown & husband Josh of Mustang; granddaughters Cassie Easterling McClure & husband Mac, Kylie Easterling Smith & husband Jace, Bethany Easterling, Audrey Easterling, Breauna McKown, Presley McKown; sisters-in-law Kathy Easterling, Paulette Nicholas; cousins Betty Lytle and Kristina Cook; nieces and nephews Terry Easterling & wife Sharon, Lorree Easterling Witt & husband Curis, Ray Easterling & wife Jo, Pat Easterling & wife Susie, Michael Easterling, Karen Easterling Garrison & husband Alan, Kelley Easterling Scott, John Nicholas & wife Carla, Donna Nicholas Eckiwaudah & husband Andrew and Sherri Nicholas Brokaw & husband Sean. Family visitation will be Sunday, August 25th from 3pm - 7pm at McNeil's Funeral Home in Mustang. Services will be held Monday, August 26th, 2:00pm at Chisholm Heights Baptist Church with interment at Mustang Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Clarehouse in Tulsa or the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Team. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the staff of Excell Home Care & Hospice, especially Jennifer.