Shirley Ann Bennett

Shirley Ann Azlin was born on February 16, 1940, in her family’s rural home outside Wewoka, Oklahoma, the first baby delivered in Seminole County by one of Oklahoma’s traveling delivery nurses. The oldest child of Luther and Lena Azlin, she grew up in a close family with three younger brothers and a large extended family of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, stretching from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and California. She was affectionately dubbed the Little Blonde in stories her father told about family adventures. As a teenager, Shirley joined her parents and other family working in California in the potato sheds. She attended school in Wewoka and New Lima, Oklahoma, and was voted Best Dancer of her graduating class from New Lima in 1958.

While attending Beauty School in Shawnee, she met Chester Underwood of Shawnee. They married in 1959 while Chester was serving in the Navy, and the newlyweds established their home in Virginia where they lived for more than 15 years, first in Norfolk, and later in Alexandria. She and Chester had two daughters and a son; Melody, Melinda, and Miles. Always a gracious hostess, her home was a welcoming place for her many friends and family who came to the DC area, including her cousin John Pack who was stationed at nearby Fort Belvior. Her church home was Woodlawn Baptist where she grew in faith to become the Spirit filled Prayer Warrior that so many remember.

The family returned to Oklahoma, settling in Shawnee in 1974, where she lived the remainder of her life. She joined Liberty Baptist Church and formed a warm, close bond with her sisters in Christ there that has lasted over 50 years. She was active in Aglow International, a nondenominational Christian Women’s organization, and had served a term as president. Shirley was a traditional homemaker for many years, but when her children were older she joined Chester working at the Tecumseh Housing Authority, and was selected to become the Executive Director after his death in 1982. Always broadening her horizons, she returned to school and earned her Master’s Degree with Honors and traveled to Europe, as well as Israel and the Mediterranean. She took a position with the Oklahoma State Health Department providing services over a wide area including Seminole, Okmulgee, Okfuskee, and Hughes Counties.

During this time, she met Richard Bennett, a widower from Fort Smith, Arkansas. They fell in love and married in 1999 and were blessed with 18 years together, traveling through Europe and the United States. She frequently brought her grandchildren and great grandchildren along, and they cherish their memories of joining in her adventures. In addition to traveling, she enjoyed reading, history, and genealogy, where her research established her inclusion as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Shirley passed from this life on September 5, 2026, at the age of 86.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Lena Azlin, both of her husbands, Chester and Richard, her brothers Troy and Kenneth, and a beloved son-in-law, Al Fard.

She is survived by her brother, Jimmy Lee and her cherished sisters-in-law, Carol Underwood Gordon and Carolyn Lesley, her children Melody Underwood and Mike Hobbs, Melinda Alizadeh-Fard, and Miles and Heather Underwood. She leaves six grandchildren; Elizabeth and Doug Holmes, Zachary Alizadeh-Fard and Shannon Thomason, Maggie Dunphy, Abigail Hobbs, and Cara and Harper Alizadeh-Fard. There are also seven great-grandchildren: Sean and Allison Simpson, Claire Dunphy, Jacob Holmes, Buddy Dunphy, Kyrie Dunphy, Aubree Hobbs, and Max Alizadeh-Fard, and one great great grandson, Stetson Simpson as well as an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was altogether fair and lovely, and will be greatly missed.

Shirley was laid to rest beside her husband Chester at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee. Her family invites you to join us on September 26th, from 12 to 4 at Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee to celebrate a long life well lived. In honor of her reputation as a welcoming hostess, we will have a sit down lunch for her family and friends.