Shirley Walcott Gay

Shirley Annette “Walcott” Gay, was born Oct. 31, 1932, in Oakland, Okla. to Mary Carolyn McMillan Walcott and Fredrick David Walcott. She left this earthly journey on Jan. 14, 2025, in Duncan.

Shirley grew up in Oakland and Madill. She was the fifth of six girls. She sang in the chorale and played oboe in the band. She met the love of her life, Alvin Grady Gay, and they married on June 5, 1949, in Madill, to this union five daughters were born, Shelia, Sherry, Carla, Rhonda and Marie. Shirley and Alvin took in many foster children and through this, they had a sixth daughter who came back to them as an adult, Alice Beaver.  

Shirley was very involved with the school at Liberty and was a vital part of the PTA. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the Church of Christ. She and Alvin were involved with many campaigns for Christ. It was on one of the campaigns that she had her first stroke at the age of 35. She never stopped trying and eventually was able to walk again. She and Alvin owned and operated Gay lease service in Velma. In the mid-1980’s they moved to Monument, Colo. and started an antique shop called Lavender Cottage, they had a thriving business and were well-known in the antiquities world. After closing the shop they managed a retirement community in Colorado Springs. Shirley worked as an office manager in a driver education school. In 2009 they moved back to Duncan and Alvin passed in 2011.

She was preceded in death in death by her husband, Alvin, daughters, Shelia and Alice, sons-in-law Mark Smith and Steve Slate, her sisters, Adele, Gwen, Loanna, Dorothy and Mary, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and her parents Fred and Mary.

She is survived by her daughters; Sherry and (Jim) Bates, Carla Slate, Rhonda Smith (John Kulanko) Marie and (Paul) Parrish, grandchildren; Jamie Bates, Joel Blackburn, Christopher Smith, Patrick Parrish, Daniel (Jess) Slate, Keegan Parrish, Emily Smith, Chad Pelton, Stuart (Taylor) Smith, Kierick Parrish, Alex Workman, Rebecca Slate, Kelin Parrish, Mark Aldred, and Kevin (Ev) King. Great-grandchildren; Ashton Bates, Ellie Lambdin, Malachi Smith, Michael Smith, Camden King, Aaron Smith, Monty King, Magnolia Smith, Gabriel Slate, Auriel Slate and Maxwel Smith and sister-in-law; Jeri Gay.

Pallbearers were Derek Milburn, Charlie Gay, David Aldridge, Mark Aldred, Kevin King, and Chad Pelton. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at the Prairie Hill Church of Christ with Paul Wingfield officiating, interment followed at the Duncan Cemetery, arrangements have been entrusted to the family care of Carter-Smart Funeral Directors.

Condolences may be sent to www.cartersmartfuneralhome.com