It all began in Omaha, Nebraska, when Sam and Nola Mae [Lincoln] Barnum
celebrated the birth of a daughter on December 8, 1948. She was named
Shirley Ann.

Shirley spent her early years in Moffett, Oklahoma and attended school
there as well as Fort Smith, Arkansas, before the family moved to the
Muskogee area. She graduated from Historic Manual Training High School
in Muskogee.

She met Quincy Powell and they were united in Holy Matrimony and moved
to California. Shirley returned to Oklahoma in 1979, relocating to
Roland, Oklahoma, where she has remained until her death.

During her lifetime, Shirley worked for Fairchild Electronics in
California, worked as a Foster Parent and also as a Sales
Representative for Braum's.

Sister Powell enjoyed cooking, culinary arts and ceramics and anyone
that knew about her cooking were always willing to pay for her to
prepare something.

She closed her eyes for the last time on Thursday, August 8, 2013 from
Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her
siblings, James Barnum, Dorthea Barnum and Sandra K. Powell.

She leaves in God's care; her children, Leonard [Natalie] Booker, St.
Louis, Missouri; Lynn Booker-Ossian, Roland, Oklahoma, Quincy Powell,
Jr., Ione, California, Darren Powell, San Jose, California, and Amanda
Foreman, Colorado Springs, Colorado; twelve grandchildren; three
great-grandchildren; her siblings, Pasty Jo Brannigan, Willie "Sugar
Baker" Nance and Anthony Barnum, all of Rock Island, Illinois; along
with a host of other relatives and friends.

"Christian Women"
When I say that I am a Christian, I am not shouting that I'm clean
living. I'm whispering I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.
When I say I'm a Christian, I don't speak of this with pride. I'm
confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say
I'm a Christian, I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm
weak and need His strength to carry on. When I say I am a Christian,
I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God
believes I'm worth it. When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the
sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say I am a Christian, I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a
simple sinner who received God's good grace somehow! Pretty is as
pretty does, but Beautiful is just plain beautiful. Being happy
doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means you've decided to see
beyond the imperfections.

The Service of Memory for Ms. Powell will be on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. in the New Morning Star Baptist Church of Moffett, Oklahoma. The Pastor, Reverend Fitzgerald Barnum, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Doyle Cemetery in the Yahola Community, west of Taft, Oklahoma.

For convenience, visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. at the Church on Saturday morning.