Shirley Rodgers Gatchell

Shirley Rodgers Trautvetter Gatchell of Oklahoma City passed away peacefully on her birthday, December 5, 2025, at the age of 92. Born in Delwin, Cottle County, Texas, to James E. and Rubye Brown Rodgers, Shirley was a multi-talented individual who enjoyed almost any challenge. She was an accomplished oil painter, fashion model, musician, bridge aficionado, seamstress, golfer, and carpenter. (She once ripped out her parents' entire kitchen, down to the studs, and rebuilt it from the floor up, while they were on a summer vacation.) She was an animal lover, having rescued (and then thoroughly spoiled) many dogs and cats in her life, as well as having broken and trained several horses in her younger years.

Shirley was a lover of people, and long believed in the full acceptance of all colors, nationalities, religions, and orientations. This was something she instilled in and insisted of her children and grandchildren.

Shirley loved to travel, and loved to talk about her photo-safaris through Australia, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. She especially enjoyed the magnificent wildlife and warm people of Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Croatia and Italy were also two of her favorite destinations.

Shirley had her own religious faith, including a belief in God. She was, however, very private in that area, believing that true believers would demonstrate their faith more through actions than through judgments and criticisms.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John H. Gatchell, her brother, David L. Rodgers, her grandson, Joshua E. Cloud, one stepson, Gary D. Shaw, and her sister-in-law, Janice Trautvetter Stiefel. She is survived by two daughters, Laura Trautvetter Stewart (John) and Melanie Trautvetter Green (David), both of the Oklahoma City area, and one son, David Corey Trautvetter (Leon) of Dallas. She is further survived by three grandchildren: Sean Donnell, Tyson Green (Ginger), and Sarah Green Novakovich (Seth); six great-grandchildren: Zachary, Sam, Ashley, Cori, Tucker, and Landon; one stepson, Barry K. Shaw, two stepdaughters, Janet Shaw McDaniels and Annie Shaw Johnson, sister-in-law, Janice Baldwin Rodgers, nephew, Shane Rodgers, niece, Roxanne Rodgers Chandler, two aunts, Jimmye Brown Taylor and Reba Brown Ray, one uncle, Lennon L. Harrison, lifelong friend, Delores Fennell Page, and two furry little ones, Monica and Simon. A special heartfelt thanks to her many Visiting Angels, including Ana, Ariana, Cheryl, Chvonne, Jackie, Joyce, and Patricia, all of whom showed such love and caring. And to Penny and Ashlynn from Elara Caring Hospice without whose expertise and attention, we would have been lost.

No funeral services will be held at this time. A private celebration of life in OKC will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (https://bestfriends.org/donate/remembering-an-animal-lover) or to the American Diabetes Association (https://diabetes.org/?form=Donate) in her memory are greatly appreciated.

"Grief is the healing process of the heart, soul, and mind; it is the path that returns us to wholeness."

Memorial gifts: Remembering the animal lover in your life

A gift to the animals in memory of a special pet lover is a wonderful way to honor the enduring love they share.

Arrangements are under the thoughtful direction of Moore Funeral and Cremation.