Shirley Jean Gathers

Shirley Jean Gathers passed away peacefully at her home in Hinton, Oklahoma on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at the age of 63. She was born on June 12, 1961 in Hollis, Oklahoma to Leon “Buddy” and Wanda (Bell) Woodruff. Growing up, she loved going to her grandparents lake house at Ft. Cobb and to the races with her family and swore one day she’d be a race car driver. She spent many childhood days working with her grandparents at their gas station in Gould. Shirley graduated from Hollis High School and continued her education at Western State Junior College in Altus and then Southwestern Oklahoma State University. While in school at Southwestern she met Sonny Gathers skating with friends at the YMCA and decided 8 days later to get married. Four short months later they were married and starting their lives in Hinton. She dedicated her life to her family and education. She started at Lookeba-Sickles as a student teacher and was hired to start what would turn into a 30 year teaching career, followed by 9 years as High School Principal and Counselor. She considered every student she ever taught one of her kids and didn’t miss a game or event. Her passion for education extended to teaching for both Redlands Community College and Caddo Kiowa Vo-tech during her summers. The only thing she loved more than school and her students was her family. She treasured every minute she got to spend with her family, especially her 5 month old grandson, Asher. He was her world for the last 5 months. She loved cooking for her family and made Sunday night dinners a tradition. She was happiest when her family was all together. Shirley was a devoted member of the Hinton Church of Christ and spent many years teaching Sunday school classes and VBS. 

 

Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Sonny Gathers of Hinton; her children Cory Gathers and wife, Melisa, and Hannah Gathers and Jeremiah Martin, all of Hinton; her cherished grandchildren, Alyssa Roberson and fiancé Reece Cofer of Yukon, Chea Boling and husband Dagen of Hinton, and Nehemiah and Asher Martin, both of Hinton. She is also survived by her parents, Buddy and Wanda Woodruff of Hollis; two sisters, Beverly Orr and husband Les of Hollis and Stacie Mills and husband Jamie of Hugoton, Kansas; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

 

She was proceeded in death by her grandparents.

 

Service: Monday at 10:00 AM, October 7, 2024, Ethel McClain Gymnasium in Lookeba, Oklahoma

Officiating: Mr. Jimie-Wray Mead and Rev. Mike Davis

Burial Niles Cemetery, Hinton, OK services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).