Shirley Marie Fox

Funeral for Shirley Marie Fox, age 88, of Tipton, Oklahoma, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Tipton, Oklahoma, with Rev. Les Banks, pastor, officiating.

Shirley entered her heavenly home March 28, 2026. She passed away at her home in Tipton surrounded by her family.

Burial will be in the Tipton Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Orr Gray Gish & Tipton Funeral Homes.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Tipton Funeral Home, 220 E. Main, Tipton, Oklahoma.

She was born July 27, 1937, in Tipton to Ernest Paxton Kittrell and Ollie Marie Milligan. Shirley carried a gentle strength and unwavering kindness through every season of her life. Shirley graduated high school with the class of 1958. While raising her children she worked various jobs in Tipton and in 1980 began working as a cook at Frederick Memorial Hospital. She began classes in 1982 and earned her Certified Dietary Manager credentials in 1986. During her career she received numerous recognitions, including certificates of appreciation from the Civil Air Patrol, the Dietary Managers Association—where she served on the board—and the Kiowa County Health Department certificate of attendance in 2007, and she held a certification in strategic management. She was named Manager of the Year by the hospital in 2009. She was also awarded Dietary Manager of the Year for the state of Oklahoma in 2018.

She married the love of her life, Arthur Lee Fox on June 24, 1955; they were happily married until his passing in 2013. Shirley enjoyed cooking, trips to the lake, family gatherings, and above all spending time with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Tipton.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Ernest Paxton Kittrell and Ollie Marie Kittrell; her husband Arthur Lee Fox; son in law Riley Howard; granddaughter Stephanie Howard; great granddaughters Madison McAlister and Bethany Fox; and her sister Barbara Pierce.

She is survived by her children Tony Fox and Jolynn of Tipton, OK; Jerry Fox and wife Kathy of Mustang, OK; Sue Howard of Tipton, OK; and Angela Rhodes and husband Danny of Tipton, OK. Grandchildren: Toni Sue Lease and wife Allyson; Brian Fox and wife Brenda; Jason Fox and significant other Rachel; Derrick Fox; Kelli Howard; Christopher Rhodes; and Amanda Inman and husband Theron. Great grandchildren: Fritz Fox and significant other Kaity; Logan Merriman; Braxton McAlister and wife Jaida; Charles McAlister; Jackson Fox; Mason Fox; Kynlee Fox; Eli Fox; Teagan Inman; Ailani Melairei; Scarlett Fox; Lyla Fox; Luxe Jordan; Xoey Inman; and CharLee Inman. She is also survived by her brother Ernest Ray Kittrell, honorary grandchildren Mick Merriman, Tina Harnden, Danielle McCarly, and Amanda Chavez, and honorary great grandchildren Chance and Mason Merriman and Jax Hoffman. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She will be remembered for her kind heart, her strength, and the love she gave so freely to those around her. Her memory will live on in every life she touched.