Shirley M. (Koker) Steury, 87 of Fairfield, passed away at 6:30 AM, Sunday, May 11, 2025, at her home. She was born on May 19, 1937, in Randolph County, Arkansas to B.B. and Jala (Bellah) Tyler. On November 3rd, 1957, she married Allen Koker of Wayne City. Allen preceded her in death on May 26, 1982. On July 17, 2004, she married Charles Steury. Shirley graduated from FCHS with the class of 1954. In her younger years she worked for Goldblatt’s Department Store, G. C. Murphy, and P.N. Hirsch. After moving back to Fairfield in 1974 she worked from 1976 to 2000 at Witter Studio.
Shirley was active in churches wherever she lived and served over the years on the Home Mission, Women’s Missionary and Stinson Press Boards with the General Baptist Denomination headquartered in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She also was blessed to go on 2 mission trips to Jamacia and 1 trip to Honduras.
She is survived by her husband Charles Steury of Fairfield, 3 sons- Mark (Chika) Koker, Robert (Tina) Koker, and David Koker all of Fairfield, stepsons Mark (Jonnie) Steury of Geff, Earl (Chrissy Patterson) Steury of Fairfield, and Karl Steury of Fairfield, step daughter in law Janis Steury of Mt. Vernon, IL, 11 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren, a brother J.B.(Ollie Mae) Tyler of Fairfield, sisters Omega (Don) Scarbrough and Virginia (Don) Witter both of Fairfield, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, parents, 3 brothers- Jim Tyler, Nathaniel Tyler, and Andrew Tyler, 2 sisters- Lavern Vaughan and Nova Cravens, and 2 stepsons- Gary Steury and Edgar Steury.
Funeral services for Shirley Koker will be held at 1 PM, Monday, May 19th, at Real Life Church with burial to follow in Bailey Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 AM until the time of service at the church. Memorials in her honor may be made to Honduras Faith Home and will be accepted at the services or the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home.
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