Shirley Elane "Cooper' Oakley, surrounded by her family, went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 14, 2025. She was born in Cross City, FL to her parents Gladys Elizabeth "Martin" and John Jackson Cooper Senior. Gladys delivered Shirley at home with the assistance of her aunt while her doctor was in another room listening to a baseball game on the radio. Shirley grew up in Dixie County before attending nursing school in Gainesville, Fl. Shirley then met Stephen Oakley, the love of her life, on a Friday evening while he was delivering pizzas. The two hit it off instantly and spent the evening chatting about life and everything in between. Once morning came, Stephen invited her to go get breakfast and later joked about not having any money, but no worries, Shirley bought his meal. They both broke off their prior relationships and got engaged after two days of knowing each other and married two weeks later on March 9th of 1968. They honeymooned in Daytona Beach, the first of many incredible trips during their 57 years of marriage. After their honeymoon, Steve completed his student teaching in Germany then accepted a teaching position in Oklahoma. They decided to make the move a grand adventure and took a three-month trip in their van around the U.S. and Canada before making their way to their new home in Jenks, Ok. They then went on to have two beautiful daughters, Shea in December of 1971 and Sarah in July of 1979.
Shirley had a long nursing career beginning at Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville, FL then at Sands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, Fl. Then after moving to the Tulsa area in 1970, she worked for the Tulsa County Health Department where she pioneered the first breast cancer health screening clinic in Tulsa. She also spent time at Saint Francis and at OU Women's Clinic.
After retiring from OU as an OBGYN Nurse Practitioner, she spent her days as a loving Wife, Mother, and her favorite role, as a Nana.
Shirley is survived by Stephen, Husband of 57 years, 2 Children, Shea Taber of Jenks, OK, and Sarah McClure of Tulsa, OK, grandchildren, Kendall Seelie, her husband Dylan, of Daphne, AL, Trenton Taber, his wife Megan, of New York, NY, Jordan Fletcher, her husband Shane, of Mounds, OK, James Taber, Clara Taber, of Jenks, OK, and Wyatt McClure, Corbin McClure, of Tulsa, OK, Son in Law Donovan McClure, of Tulsa, OK and seven great grandchildren, Levi, Hallie, Fitzgerald, Jude, Eleanor, Jonah, and baby Taber due in June 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents,Gladys, and Jackson, siblings, Jimmy, Jackie, Wayne, Andy, Jennie, and Timothy, and Son in Law, Chad Taber.