Shirley Dee Wright

Shirley Wright passed away peacefully at Miami County Medical Center on May 22, 2023, surrounded by family.

Shirley Dee Cornett was born on January 23, 1943 in Fontana, Kansas to John Edgar (Louie) and Julia Fern (Hall) Cornett.  She grew up in the Fontana area and graduated from Fontana High School in 1961. She was a devote Christian and attended many Christian retreats and revivals.

Shirley was very proud of her Cherokee heritage and was the orneriest little Indian woman around.  She had a dry sense of humor and got a kick out of stirring the pot.  This was her way of getting to know you.  She never hesitated to tell you her opinion whether you wanted it or not.  She enjoyed driving around the country reminiscing about things and people that had gone by.  She was incredibly sharp at remembering who’s cheatin’ who and who’s being true! Her laughter was contagious and she smiled with her eyes.  She loved her sons and was proud of them, from their childhood hunting adventures to their chosen careers.  She said Ron didn’t talk until he was 4, because Rex always knew what Ron wanted.  She’d also say, if there’s a poop plant that needed built, they call Rex, and if there’s diesel mechanic work to be done, they’d call Ron.

She would cook eggs, bacon and toast every morning for her beloved dogs, Drover and Baby.

Shirley was very artistic and did marvelous works in leather.  She painted beautiful pictures and did pencil drawings.

On September 10, 1960 she married Albert Leon Eastwood in Fontana, Kansas. To this union there were born two children, Rex Leon Eastwood and Ronald Lynn Eastwood.  This marriage ended in divorce.   She lost her son, Ron, in 2022 so Rex became even more important to her.

Shirley then moved to the farm in Garnett, where she farmed, gardened and raised cattle and flowers.  She kept her Anderson County farm going by herself for more than 30 years.  Shirley took pride in her momma cows and was always sad to sell her calves in the fall.  She raised a big garden and lots of fruit trees over the years.  She butchered her own chickens and sold her eggs to her cleaning clients. Shirley loved horses and raised several.  She loved the farm life and her farm dogs.  Shirley also worked in the healthcare industry and had a cleaning business. She worked at the LaCygne power plant and was able to keep up with the hardest working men there.

Shirley married Dub Wright in 1983 and they later divorced.

She kept the pavement hot in her 1999 green Cougar.   She loved driving that car.  January, 2019 she was t-boned in the Cougar.  Alas, it was unrepairable.  Luckily, she survived and was able to drive again.

Shirley is predeceased by her parents Louie and Fern, her son, Ron, her brother, Jerry and her blue heeler, Drover.

She is survived by her son Rex(Gail)and their son, Micah; her sister Pansy Bigley (Bob), brother Bobby Cornett; Ron’s daughters, Jennifer (Andrea) and Julie (Danny); 2 great granddaughters, LaRee and Lanye; step great-granddaughter, Jordan; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and her great Pyrenees, Baby. She also has many friends that loved her that she leaves behind.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Regina’s Rescue or a charity of your choice.