Shirley Knox

Shirley Lee Knox, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2018 in her home, with her family at her side. Shirley fought her share of health issues in recent years, and the heart full of so much love finally wore out. Shirley was born July 1, 1931 in Wheeling, Missouri to Virgil Lee Brown and Stella Arleen (Trussell) Brown. She joined a brother, James, then another brother Charles, a sister Betty, and after a move west, brother Robert and sister Roberta came along. Virgil found work with the Union Pacific Railroad in Blackfoot, Idaho and the family joined him there for a short time before moving to Dell, then to Lima, where Virgil and Stella put down roots and raised their children to be strong, independent, work hard, and persevere. They were instilled with the belief that the helping hand you can always count on is the one at the end of your arm. Shirley received her early education in Lima. While still in high school, she fell in love with Carl Newton Knox. On June 11, 1947, they wed in a double ceremony at the Lima Community Church alongside her brother James, and Carl’s sister, Alice. Years later when her children were grown, Shirley, along with several of her friends, attended night classes and attained their high school diplomas, an accomplishment of which she was quite proud. Side by side, Carl and Shirley ranched with his parents on Sage Creek all their working lives. Shirley embraced the ranch life with a passion you had to witness to understand. There was no task or problem that she would not take on. She enjoyed raising sheep and cattle, but she truly loved her horses and some descendants of her bloodlines are still working on local ranches. Shirley and Carl were blessed with five children whom they raised on the ranch: Judy, Tana, Karla, Bill and Polly. A hunter of rocks and big game, mom loved the challenge of trying to outfox a big muley buck. She also enjoyed quilting, collecting dolls, sharing stories over coffee with friends, and was a talented artist. Shirley and Carl retired to Lima in 2003, building a home filled with memories, love, and Shirley’s “Stuff”. Shirley was one of the original instigators of the Lima swimming pool. She was a charter member of Rainbow Girls’ Assembly, member of the Order of Eastern Star, and VFW Auxiliary. Shirley is survived by her husband of 70 years, brother Robert (Lana) Brown of San Diego, daughter Tana (Dan) Shively of Cody, Wyoming; son Bill (Cathy) of Dillon; son-in-laws Ron Parks, James McGraw, and Kirk Howell; 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws William and Ethel Knox, brothers James and Charles, sisters Betty and Roberta, daughters Judy, Karla and Polly. In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, memorials may be directed to the the Bailey Building Museum, Lima Fire Department/EMS, Lima Swimming Pool, or the Brown/Knox Scholarship at Lima High School. “She is missed an awful lot by me. We had a lot of loving years together.” (Carl)