Contributions in Shirley's honor may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital via www.stjude.org

Shirley Berneice Tennyson, of Oklahoma City, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born February 1, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to her parents, Virgil and Bonnie (Maness) Owen. As a young girl Shirley was very talented and enjoyed tap dancing. She attended Mark Twain Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High and graduated from Central High School.

On July 11, 1959, Shirley married the love of her life, Arlen Dale Tennyson. Together they traveled abroad, as well as here in the U.S.

They also enjoyed weekend getaways at Lake Eufaula where they owned a cabin and would host family and friends for boating, fishing, water skiing and many other activities. They were blessed with a wonderful life and 57 years together until Arlen's passing on October 25, 2016.

Shirley excelled in her role as an Administrative Assistant at Tinker Air Force Base, earning her an Outstanding Performance Award. She also was a Mary Kay consultant for many years, developing close bonds within her unit.

Shirley attended Life Church, where she served as a greeter, and later attended Crossroads Cathedral with her daughter and son-in-law.

Shirley was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Shirley was preceded in death by her:

Parents ~ Virgil and Bonnie Owen;

Husband ~ Arlen Dale Tennyson;

Brother ~ Martin Guy Owen;

Sister-in-law ~ Wilma Owen;

Nephew ~ Jared Cox;

Great Nephew ~ Tristan Owen.

Shirley leaves behind her:

Son ~ Arlen "Ike" Tennyson

Daughter ~ Kelly Young and her husband, Johnny;

Grandson ~ Dallas Tennyson and his wife, Melissa;

Granddaughter ~ April Kuhlman and her husband, Ryan;

Grandson ~ Tyler Tennyson;

Granddaughter ~ Tia Young;

Granddaughter ~ Taryn Ross and her husband, Jeremy;

Great-Grandchildren ~ Arlen, Duncan, Nathan, Katie, and Kallie Tennyson, Cooper, Maximus, and Greyson Kuhlman, and Gabriel and Gideon Ross;

Brother ~ Robert "Bob" Owen;

Sister ~ Pamela Cox and her husband, John;

Sister ~ Sheila Vance and her husband, Ken;

Shirley was also blessed with her honorary great-grandchildren: Ella Westbrook, Carter Marivani, Alexis Townlain, and Briar Vance.