Shirley Elaine Branham

Elaine was born December 3, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas. She was the daughter of Curt and Ola (Tisher) Carrington. As a young girl Elaine moved with her family to the Cleveland area. They later moved to Terlton to a large farm where the family remained for all of Elaine’s childhood. It was at the farm where Elaine developed her love of horses and farm life and became the all-around tomboy everyone knew. Elaine was baptized on August 16, 1953 at the Terlton Baptist church. She attended school in Terlton where she was an avid basketball player, often getting fouled out before the game ended. Elaine played on the All Star basketball team her Sr year of high school. Elaine graduated with top honors as the Salutatorian of the graduating class of 1962. She was also the class secretary and Treasure. Following graduation Elaine attended Draughon Business College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On July 27, 1964, Elaine was united in marriage to Tom Branham. From this union there were two children, Lisa and Chancey. Tom and Elaine provided rodeo stock for local rodeo events as well as ran cattle in the Keystone area. They later moved from Keystone to Terlton , then to Hallett in 1973 where Elaine worked as a bus driver for the Cleveland Public Schools for several years. She went back to school at Central Vo-tech in Drumright, Oklahoma taking business courses and gained employment with the Pawnee County Department of Human Services in 1992. Elaine remained at the Pawnee D.H.S. for approximately ten years before transferring to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 2002. Elaine worked for O.H.P Troop K as a data entry clerk until her retirement on August 1, 2010.

Elaine enjoyed sewing and made nearly everyone she knew a teddy bear. She also enjoyed horseback riding, raising and showing horses, crafts, reading, canning, as well as being an avid Oklahoma State University Cowboy fan. She was also an active member of the Relay for Life, Team Hope, which she made several of her crafts for as fundraisers. Elaine enjoyed helping her granddaughter with her livestock projects and attending shows to cheer her on. On more than one occasion she helped raise a bottle baby goats and one that was her favorite was Thumper. Elaine raised him from a baby to mature and during the 2013 Tulsa State Fair Thumper was exhibited by her granddaughter and he received Reserve Senior Buck.

Shirley Elaine Branham of Terlton, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday April 23, 2015 at the age of 71 years, four months, and twenty days.

Surivors are her two children, Lisa Jones of Hallett, Oklahoma; Chancey Branham and wife Samantha of Hallett, Oklahoma; three siblings, Curtis “Sarge” Carrington and wife Marie of Coweta, Oklahoma; Dallas Florer and wife Marisol of Terlton, Oklahoma; and Carla Florer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Granddaughter Kristy Jones of Hallett, Oklahoma, nieces and nephews Tabitha, Eric, Jordan, Jadyn, Justin, Debbie, Garett, Charlee, Brooklyn, Justin, Curtis Allen, Charece, and numerous other relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Curt Carrington, Melvin “Shorty” and Ola Bell Bowers.