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Submitted: 9/22/20 • Approved: 9/23/20 • Last Updated: 9/26/20 • R1340431-G1340430-S3
November 3, 1925 - June 26, 2018
*Obituary
Bixby Funeral Service
Bixby, Oklahoma
Services to honor and celebrate the life of Shirley Mae Rathbone will be 10:00 AM Saturday, June 30, 2018 in the RiverCrest Chapel, Bixby. Shirley will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, Arkansas next to her husband of 72 years, John Thomas "Tom" Rathbone, Jr. Shirley passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. She was 92.
Born November 3, 1925 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Shirley was the daughter of Harvey Leroy and Cordie Mae (Lively) Davis. Raised by her aunt Maudie Mae "Bugie" Jones, Shirley attended Siloam Springs schools where she became a high school graduate.
Married to John Thomas "Tom" Rathbone, Jr. on January 29, 1945, Shirley followed Tom to various Naval bases as he served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Shirley would find employment outside of the home until she and Tom began a family of their own. Altogether, they welcomed 13 children through the years. A full-time wife, mother and homemaker, it has been said of Shirley that most of her life was spent in the basement washing, drying and folding laundry. After all the kids left home, they loved to play cards with any offspring that would challenge them. Many family problems were solved during these games.
A woman whose life was defined by her faith in God and her relationship with family, Shirley loved her children and her grandchildren. There have been generations of memories made at Grandma Shirley's house where it was commonplace to find her reading stories to the many grandchildren who surrounded her.
Described as faithful, happy, and forgiving (as one would have to be with 13 children), Shirley's life made a positive and mighty impact on so many. Shirley will be deeply missed by those family members who survive. They include: 11 children: James Thomas Rathbone of Holiday, Florida, John Thomas Rathbone, III of Broken Arrow, William Thomas Rathbone of Coweta, Daniel Thomas Rathbone of Tulsa, Timothy Thomas Rathbone of Sacramento, CA, Stephen Thomas Rathbone of Tulsa, OK, Mark Thomas Rathbone of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Paul Thomas Rathbone of Collinsville, Rebekah Marie Schmidt and Deborah Kay Booth both of Broken Arrow and Benjamin Thomas Rathbone of Owasso. She is also survived by 40 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Shirley was preceded in death by: her beloved husband, John Thomas "Tom" Rathbone, Jr. and two sons: Thomas Michael Rathbone and David Thomas Rathbone.
Contributed on 9/22/20 by wfields55
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Record #: 1340431