Shirley Belle Claborn

Shirley Belle (Edwards) Claborn was born on August 30, 1942, in Shawnee, OK, to Sterling Brown Edwards and Dovie Marie (Click) Edwards. She passed from this life on October 16, 2026 in Shawnee, OK, at the age of 84. She was close to her sisters, Patsy (Edwards) Pritchard and Joy (Edwards) Heiman, who remained important parts of her family story throughout her life.

Shirley was a 1960 graduate of Shawnee High School. On October 11, 1968, Shirley married Robert “Bob” Claborn in Norman, OK. They made their home in Shawnee, where they shared 21 years of marriage until Bob’s passing on January 23, 1990.

Shirley retired from St. Anthony Hospital in Shawnee after 30 years of dedicated service as the Laboratory Receptionist. Outside of work, she found happiness in the simple pleasures of life. She was artistic and enjoyed sketching, reading, needlework, planting flowers and working in her yard. She also had a lifelong fondness for animals, especially cats, dogs, and horses. Over the years, she had many beloved pets and never tired of sharing memories about them.

Music was another of Shirley’s great loves. She especially enjoyed rock and roll, with favorites that included The Doors, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and The Rolling Stones. Her gospel CD's by Elvis Presley and Alan Jackson were also favorites, as she said they took her back to her days of youth at Calvary Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Although Shirley did not have children of her own, she cherished her nieces and nephew and their children and grandchildren. She held a special place in their lives and enjoyed the connections and memories they shared. Shirley was funloving, full of life, and a joy to be around. She never had an enemy because all who met her loved her and enjoyed her company. She loved to laugh and believed there was little need to take life too seriously. She had a way of helping to lift up and encourage others. It was impossible to be around Shirley and remain in a bad mood.

Her youthful spirit never faded. Even well into her 80s she could still be seen driving her red convertible Mustang she named "Red Hot,” listening to rock and roll, and proudly wearing her favorite Doors or Woodstock T-shirts. Shirley had a style and spirit all her own, and she embraced life in a way that reflected her independent nature and enduring sense of fun.

Shirley will be remembered for her love of animals, her appreciation for life’s simple pleasures, her laughter, and her ability to remain young at heart. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will fondly remember her unique personality, her stories, and the joy she brought to those around her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

She is survived by her sister, Joy Heiman and T.J. of Edmond, OK; nieces Linda Ward and husband Keith of Shawnee, OK; and Kari Heiman of San Anselmo, CA; great-nieces and nephews, Jessica McClain and husband Jordan and children Brody, Olivia and Jace of Shawnee, OK; Brittyn Combs and husband Mark and children Tyson and Jarron of Mustang, OK; Johnny Pritchard and wife Rebecca of Mustang, OK; and Senett and Holden Heiman-Henderson of San Anselmo, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sterling and Dovie Edwards; husband, Bob Claborn; sister and brother-in-law, Patsy and Johnny Pritchard; brother-in-law, Bob Heiman; and nephew, Mark Pritchard. 

In keeping with Shirley’s wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held. Animal welfare was a cause dear to Shirley’s heart. Memorial donations may be made to Free to Live Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 5884, Edmond, OK 73083.