Shirley went into the arms of her Savior on August 7, 2026.

She was born in Atlantic, Iowa, on October 19, 1947, to parents Verle Leon and Frances Genevieve Graybill.

Shirley and her family settled in rural Norwalk, Iowa, in 1960. She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1965, and was employed in various secretarial positions.

Shirley married Tom Blackford on January 20, 1968, at Fort Des Moines Methodist Church. They lived in rural Prole, Iowa, for the first seven years of married life.

In June 1975, she and Tom moved to the family farm in rural Norwalk where they both enjoyed the farm life. They had two children, Eric Charles and April Jean.

After taking early retirement in the spring of 2004, they spent the next 17 years living full-time in a fifth-wheel camper and traveled throughout the United States. They eventually visited all states, with the exception of Delaware and Rhode Island.

In October 2021, they left the camping lifestyle and purchased a home in Abilene, Texas, where they would be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Verle and Frances; brother, Charles Graybill; and niece, Ann Ashley Goode.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Tom; children, Eric (Alegra) Blackford, April (Joel) Hutsell; grandsons, Carter Donald Blackford and Austin Charles Blackford; granddaughter, Ava Grace Hutsell; brother, Lynn (Pat) Graybill; sister, Monica Jean Goode; nephew, Jeffrey Graybill; niece, Courtney Goode; great-niece, Freyja Fleming; great nephew, Liam Fleming; and many friends.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026, at North River Church Cemetery. Refreshments to follow, at a location to be determined.