Shirley Margaret Kays

Former longtime Welch, OK resident, Shirley Margaret Kays, 83, now of Sand Springs, OK passed away Sunday, July 12, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born June 10, 1932 in rural Amsterdam, MO to Vivian Jerome Morris and Grace Mildred (Ball) Morris. She graduated in 1949 from the Butler, MO High School where she played basketball, loved to socialize, and generally had fun. Many years ago, while visiting her brother in the apple orchards of Peshastin, WA, she met Wayne Kays. They later married and in 1960, they moved to Welch, OK. They were longtime members of the Welch Christin Church where she taught the nursery class for many years. While raising their family, Shirley worked on the family farm milking cows, driving tractors, working in the field, gardening, or whatever else she needed to do to provide for her family. After getting her children raised, Shirley worked for a short time in the cafeteria at Welch Public Schools, then at TRW Cinch in Vinita, OK and for many years in the stockroom at Eastern State Hospital in Vinita. Shirley had a kind and compassionate spirit. She loved babies of any kind, and raised many baby pigs, calves, deer, squirrels, raccoons, puppies, kittens, and goats by bottle feeding them. Her easy laugh and cheerful manner made her many friends wherever she went. Upon moving to Sand Springs, Shirley joined the Osage Hills Christian Church where she was involved in the afterschool program for the children. She worked in the kitchen providing snacks for the kids until ill health forced her to be confined to home. She was also a member of the Silver Shoes group at a local fitness club and she donned a red hat and attended social events with the local Red Hat group. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jean Dale Morris and V. Jerome (Red) Morris. She is survived by three children, Ronald Wayne Kays and wife Beverly, Kenneth David Kays and wife Connie, and Icle Michele Kays Drummond and huband George; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Jason Kays and wife Shelley, Parker, Abby, Jennifer Ratcliff and husband Jay, Kade, Kenzie, Shelby Skye Drummond and fiancée Rustin Corsentino, and Trace David Drummond; many nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and a host of friends. A Celebration of Life will be held August 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Osage Hills Christian Church, 4500 West Edison, in Tulsa, OK.

Shirley Margaret Kays

June 10, 1932 - July 12, 2015