Our dear Mother, Shirley Woods, left this earthly plane on August 1st, 2024 at the age of 82.

Her departure was unexpected but she left this world gracefully and peacefully with her family by her side.

Shirley was the only child of Bertha and Wayne Fryer. She married Norman Woods and had three children Shelley Carr (Bill), Timothy Woods (Lonna), and Todd Woods (Terri). She has 6 grandsons Zachary Travis (Andrea), Tyler Woods (Kaitlin), Layton Travis (Sarah), Cory Woods (Katie), Austin Woods (Peyton), Drake Woods.

She has 12 great grandchildren that she loved more than life itself. Evelyn Travis, Gunther Travis, Aubrey Woods, Isabel Woods, Gabriella Travis, Elliot Travis, London Woods, Emmett Woods, Callan Woods, Mara Woods, Sonny Woods, Ellie Woods.

Shirley graduated from Keokuk High School in 1960 and went on to get her teaching certificate in music from Sherwood music school. She taught piano and organ lessons in her home from 1960 – 1979. The home was always full of music albeit a few sour notes here and there lol. She did complain that while she was trying to teach downstairs a herd of elephants were running through the house above her (we don't know who that could have been!)

She is mostly known around Keokuk, for her 25 year career at the Lee County Ambulance service where she was a paramedic, supervisor, and instructor. She loved her job and the people she worked with. After her supposed retirement from the ambulance (we all knew she wouldn't really retire), she started working at Optimae life services for another 18 years.

In her teenage years, she was a huge ELVIS fan and that spanned throughout her life. But I don't know too many ladies that grew up in the 50's that didn't have a crush on the king of rock 'n roll. Shirley was also a huge fan of the 49ers. One of her fondest memories was when her son Tim & his family took her to see them in St. Louis. Of course the 49ers were playing one of his favorite teams, the RAMS. They ended up beating her team and she said it was a long ride back home with the Ram Fam teasing her about her team losing (well, until Tim told them "that was enough").

Shirley was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Keokuk. She loved her Christian family and was actively involved in numerous ways over the years.

Her favorite saying lately was "So these are the golden years???"

We are saddened that she is no longer with us but are happy that she is at peace. Until we meet again.

A memorial service was held at 10 am. Saturday, August 17th at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk.

Visitation was held from 5 – 8 pm Friday, August 16 at the funeral home with family meeting with friends at that time.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Keokuk or the American Heart Association.