Shirley was born on April 10, 1936, in Spearmoore, OK, to Sam and Eva Aylett. She was born at the family home. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to a farm 1 mile SW of Laverne, OK. Shirley started 1st grade in Laverne schools and quickly became lifelong friends with Donna Ball Jenkins, Peggye O'Connor Symes, Gloria Martini Gardener, Patsy Carlisle LaMunyon and John Klinger. Shirley was a good student with better than average grades. She enjoyed playing her clarinet in the high school band. When she wasn't in school, she helped on the family farm. When big enough, she helped her dad, Sam, milk cows, but couldn't always finish the job. She wrote in her diary one time "Today, I milked a WHOLE cow!"
After she graduated high school in 1954, she attended Enid Business College – completing their program in record time. She and her friend, Shirley Keck, were selected and hired by Phillips Petroleum Co and they both went to work there in Bartlesville, OK, in 1956. She and Keck, as she called her, later transferred to Wichita, where she made contact with her school days friend, John Klinger. John introduced her to his college buddy, Tom Buxton. They quickly fell in love and eloped 6 months later! They were married in the Methodist Church in Newkirk, OK, on Saturday, March 15, 1958.
In 1959, Tom joined the Air National Guard and was stationed in Denver, CO. Shirley worked as a secretary for the VP of Sun Ray DX Oil Company. While in Denver, God blessed them with their first child, Steven Ray, on September 8, 1961. After Tom was discharged from active duty, he went to work for Nationwide Finance Company and was transferred to Moab, Utah. Shirley stayed at home with Steve enjoying being a mother. In1964, the finance company transferred them back to Denver. They began to think of moving back to Oklahoma so they could be closer to home. Tom accepted a position with the Credit Bureau in Woodward, OK, in July of 1965. They bought their first house, and they would live there for the next 50 years! On August 1, 1969, they adopted their daughter, Kathy Ann, aged 5. Shirley finally had her daughter and their family was complete.
Shirley loved children and taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church for 48 years! She especially enjoyed teaching the children that volunteered for Bible Drill Training. Her group always qualified for the State Competition in Oklahoma City. She also worked with Special Needs children through Woodward Public Schools.
In 1972, she began working at the business that Tom had purchased and organized their Accounts Receivable Management Program that they offered to area hospitals. Shirley continued managing the office until they sold the collection division in 1998. On October 1, 2000, Tom and Shirley sold the rest of their business and retired, thus starting their many road trips and a couple of cruises. In 2007, Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Tom took care of her at home until November of 2015, when he realized that she needed more help than he could give. Kathy researched various long term care facilities and found the best one to be Presbyterian Manor in Newton, KS. With regret and many tears, Tom placed Shirley there for care on November 24, 2015. Over the years, the staff at Presbyterian took exceptional care of Shirley! As expected,
ALZ continued to take its toll, but despite that, Shirley continued to recognize Tom and still had that sweet smile. She finally won the battle over Alzheimer's disease the day the Lord called her home. She will be forever cherished and loved.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 66 years, Tom Buxton, daughter Kathy Douglas and husband, Scott Douglas, Grandchildren: Jesse Mays, Casey (Jimmy) Criswell, Jerred (Taylor) Douglas, Cassy (Joe) Dixon, Damon Buxton and Whitney Buxton. Great Grandchildren: Rylee, Conway and Barrett Douglas, Gavin, Grady and Lennon Criswell, Noah Mays, MaKenna Timmons, Sara and Madison Dixon; niece, Debbie McEachern and nephews, DL McAlister and Del McAlister. She is preceded in death by her son, Steve Buxton; parents, Sam and Eva Aylett; brother Gary Aylett; sister Norma Hogsed; 4 Aunts; Effie Bouse, Mildred Tipton, Bernice Moore and Lilly Aylett; 3 uncles Lowell Moore, Kenneth Aylett and Marshall Aylett; grandparents, Perry and Elizabeth Benson and Rebecca Aylett.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M ., Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Baker Funeral Home West Chapel with burial to follow at Kechi Cemetery.