Shirley Fay Buchanan

Shirley Fay Buchanan passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 15, 2025 in Tulsa OK at the age of 88 years and 10 months. She was born on Dec ember 14 ,1936 in Garfield, AR to William Owen and Velma Valentine Marler. At an early age they moved to Rogers AR where she attended elementary school. In the mid-40s they moved to Tulsa, OK where she attended Wilson junior high school and Will Rogers high school. Shirley was senior class secretary of the 1954 graduating class. After graduating, Shirley did secretarial work for Kewanee Oil Company until she married Jerry Buchanan on April 8,1955 and moved to El Paso, TX where he was stationed at Fort Bliss Army base. While there, she worked as a secretary for the El Paso office of the FBI until their first daughter Cathy Lynn was born and she became a full-time mother and homemaker. Two more daughters were born, Debra Kay and Cynthia Jo, and for the next 30 years she balanced home life, school activities, church, and supporting her husband in his marketing career which involved major relocations to 7 states. In 1974, Shirley and her husband began their venture into the unfinished furniture industry. Over the ensuing years this involved Retail stores, manufacturing and serving as sales representatives for several large unfinished furniture manufacturers. Shirley participated in every aspect of the business. They sold the retail stores in 2000 and ceased operating the rep business in 2004 and retired. After retiring she was very involved in church activities, teaching Bible classes, fellowshipping and hosting youth groups. She also mentored girls at Sequoyah Elementary School for eight years. She loved her grandchildren/great grandchildren dearly and stayed involved with them all she could. Her home was loving and always bustling with activity. As she entered her 80s her health began to fail, and she could no longer do the things she had always loved to do. She became home bound until her passing. She and Jerry celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past April 8th.She was a member of the Crosstown Church of Christ for 45 years. She is survived by her husband Jerry, daughters Cathy Sharpe, Debra Sawyer and Cindy Stephens (husband, Eddie), five grandchildren, Samantha Wood {husband Brady}, Sara Eanes (husband Matt), Suzanna Storm {husband Seth}, Amy Stephens and Steven Sharpe, eight greatgrandchildren, Cody Bomengen, Braylon Bell, Mila Turner, Ainslee Eanes, Caroline Wood, Annie Wood, Madden Eanes and Rosalie Storm. Shirley had a beautiful smile, was always friendly and cared deeply about others. She was indeed a Proverbs 31 woman and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the Crosstown Church of Christ, 3400 East Admiral Place, Tulsa, OK 74115

Shirley Fay Buchanan

December 14, 1936 - October 15, 2025