Shirley Wennel Tyra-Graumann

Shirley Wennel Smith Tyra (Graumann)

After a long, but not long enough life, Shirley Tyra passed away surrounded by many of her beloved family on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma. Fiercely, admirably, and sometimes irritatingly independent, she was adored by countless and will be greatly missed. 

Shirley Wennel Smith was born June 19, 1935, in Willow, Oklahoma, to J.T. and Ninaleen Smith. She and her siblings grew up helping their parents farm during the historic Dust Bowl; however, old family photos and countless family anecdotes reflect a joyous childhood full of friends. Shirley and her brothers and sisters enjoyed playing basketball, going “to town” (Mangum) to visit Aunt Ikie, and partaking in harmless but mischievous shenanigans. 

Shirley graduated from Ocina Schools in 1954 as the valedictorian of her class. She and her best friend “since birth,” Lunelle, moved to Clinton to attend nursing school. The three-year nursing program at Clinton required them to work 6 days a week at the hospital while taking classes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Shirley graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1957. She spent her life caring for others.

In December 1956, Shirley went on a blind date set up by her college house mother. Ten weeks later, she married Leroy Tyra on March 3, 1957, at Aunt Ikie and Uncle Sherwood’s home. She proudly wore a dress made by her mother and Aunt Ikie. Shirley and Leroy had three children. Their family moved several times over the years, living in Altus, Frederick, and Chickasha, Oklahoma; and Dumas, Amarillo, and Hereford, Texas. 

In 1971, Shirley and Leroy moved their family to Maysville, Oklahoma, where Shirley worked for her uncles who owned McCaskill Nursing Home. She served as Director of Nursing there. A few years later, she became a public health nurse for Garvin County. She also worked several years at the Paul’s Valley hospital, eventually retiring from there, and then served as an RN for the Oklahoma State Department of Corrections in Lexington.

A few years after Leroy passed away in 1988, and her beloved mother passed in 1997, Shirley retired again, and moved back to Willow to help care for her father. But he was fiercely, admirably, and sometimes irritatingly independent, so she worked as an RN for a private prison nearby. Shirley was never happier than when she was caring for others.

In March 2001, Shirley married Ben Graumann in Granite, Oklahoma. Ben was a wheat farmer, and Shirley enjoyed working by his side. After Ben’s death in 2006, Shirley eventually moved to Sapulpa, nearer her younger daughter Cheryl and son Alan so they could look after her when she needed it. But she was fiercely, admirably, and sometimes irritatingly independent, and she wasn’t too old to enjoy a mischievous shenanigan now and then. Also, she loved being nearer her youngest grandson and watching him grow up. 

Shirley moved to Norman in 2022 where she could be closer to many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and where her eldest daughter could help care for her. But at 89, Shirley was still fiercely, admirably, and sometimes irritatingly independent, and she didn’t need much help. She was still the ultimate care-giver, but not much of a care-receiver.

Shirley is survived by her four children and their families: Teresa Tyra and her husband Charles Johnson of Norman; Alan Tyra and his wife Susan of Wetumka; Cheryl Smith and husband Rob of Bristow; and bonus daughter Sandy Graumann West and her husband Jim of Purcell. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Nicholas, Travis, Audra, Shalan, Trey, Nicky, Morgan, Dannie and Dylan--who have wonderful MawMaw-MeMe-Grandma Shirley stories because she was always down for an adventure and those grands could do no wrong. They, too, are fiercely, admirably, and sometimes irritatingly independent—just as she meant them to be. She also leaves 15 great-grandkids whom she loved and who all hold bountiful promise to be much like their ancestors.

Shirley has a host of dear nieces and nephews who loved her and often called her to chat and ask advice. They had to call because she refused to learn how to text. She adored the children of Dwayne, Ronald, Wynia, and Mamie. She taught all of us to cherish our cousins as our first friends.

Everywhere Shirley lived and worked, she forged strong, enduring friendships. She was an excellent confidante, companion, and co-conspirator. 

To all of us, Shirley was a blessing. She loved a good card game, a good (or bad) cup of coffee, ketchup, photos, traveling, Pop Tarts, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, the Lord, her friends, and her family. She loved life. We loved her.

Friends and Family Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Winans Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2024, at Winans Funeral Home Chapel in Maysville, Oklahoma.  Burial at Maysville Cemetery in Maysville, Oklahoma under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home.  Words of comfort can be sent to the family on this website.