Shirley Ann Moore

Shirley Ann Moore, 96, was ushered into heaven by angels to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face on Monday, November 24, 2025.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 1, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Arkansas City. Pastor David Stanley will officiate. Interment will follow in the Parker Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
She was born February 13, 1929 in Arkansas City, Kansas to Philip E. and Mary (Knouse) Buechner Sr. She attended schools in several states throughout her youth, but the family eventually settled back to Kansas, and she graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1947.
Shirley Ann Buechner married Wayne Allen Moore on October 12, 1947 at First Baptist Church, Arkansas City, KS and together they raised six children: Rebecca Stedry (Richard, deceased) of Greenville, SC, G. Steven (Suzanne) of Arkansas City, KS, Jeffrey, deceased (Maria) of Stockton, CA, Annette Jones (Paul) of Stillwater, OK, Jacque Ramirez (Robert) of Arkansas City, KS, and Layne, deceased (Marie) of Lawrence, KS.
In her early teen years, Shirley was accepted into a select summer program at Juilliard School of Music in New York City. Just before leaving, the family faced a difficult health crisis which determined a necessary move to Arizona. Shirley graciously sacrificed this prestigious honor for the sake of her beloved brother's health. We often wonder if she had gone to NYC where we would be today.
Eventually the family returned to Arkansas City and Shirley was asked to play the piano for First Baptist Church at the young age of 16. When the church installed a new pipe organ, she rose to the challenge and taught herself to play, becoming an extremely accomplished organist. Her faithfulness was amazing-playing for countless funerals, weddings, church services and celebrations throughout the years. Shirley shared her giftedness at FBC for 68 years, serving from 1945 until retiring in 2013. She remained a longtime member of First Baptist Church and Crusaders Sunday school class.
While her main focus in life was the Lord and music, Shirley found many ways to serve in the community of Ark City. She worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell, was employed at First Intermark, and served as director of Arkansas City Senior Citizens Center, Projects for Aging-Friendship Meals, becoming well-known and loved by many through her gentle acts of humble dedication to the senior community.
Though officially retired from church organist in 2013, Shirley continued to share her love for music by accompanying the Melodears/Twilighters, a senior citizens group that provided music for various nursing homes, the VA hospital, and retirement centers in the Arkansas City and Winfield area. She received an honorary faithful membership to the Ark City Music and Dramatics Club and was also esteemed as Kansas Federation of Music Clubs, "Musician of the Year". In 1982, Shirley was humbled by being celebrated as the Arkansas City Traveler "Woman of the Year" award.
While in her late 80s, Shirley continued to thrive and became an accomplished author, writing the book, "Lost In Oklahoma" and also compiling the piano book, "Hymns For Him"-by arranging some of her favorite hymns on her "computer box", as she called it.
Her wit and humor surpassed many and she always had unique ways to make people smile. She lovingly earned the title as "Dr. Shirley" from her beloved family for her many health remedy suggestions and "kosher" diet guidelines.
Shirley is survived by four of her children, 18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, brother, Philip Buechner Jr, sister-in-law Lannie Buechner, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, sons, Jeffrey and Layne, son-in-law, Richard Stedry, and her parents, Philip and Mary Buechner Sr.
While missed greatly, Shirley's legacy of faithfulness to her Lord and her love of music will continue in those she held dear for generations to come.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Cowley College Music Program.