Shirley Ann (Kennett) Ramey

Shirley Ann (Kennett) Ramey, born June 12, 1935, passed away at 1:50AM, September 18, 2021 at Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa, OK, surrounded by her family.

She was born and raised in Pawhuska, the daughter of Port W. and Mabel F. (Starr) Kennett, who preceded her in death many years ago.  Shirley attended Pawhuska Schools and was a proud member of the Pride of Pawhuska marching band.  She graduated in May of 1953.  She worked several jobs in the area, including telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company and later retiring from Conoco Phillips in Bartlesville, OK.  She was an administrative assistant there for over 30 years.

Shirley married the love of her life, Dwayne Ramey, on November 12, 1971.  Her cowboy soon swept her away to rodeos, race horse tracks and team ropings.  She spent years traveling between junior rodeos with her kids, Huskie football games and hosting Friday night team ropings at their D-S Arena.  It’s rumored that the cheeseburgers she cooked at her concession stand, and later at the Pawhuska Stop Buy, were the best in Osage County.  For several years, Shirley and Dwayne operated the D Bar S Western Store in Pawhuska, and later Ramey Construction.

Shirley was a member of the Pawhuska Round-Up Club, secretary of the International Cavalcade for several years, secretary for the Senior Pro Rodeo Association and was very active in the Pawhuska Elks Lodge.  She was a woman of prayer who attended the Calvary Baptist Church and later became a member of the First Baptist Church in Pawhuska.  She enjoyed fellowship and Sunday School and made many dear friends.

Dwayne and Shirley loved their community and were always willing to volunteer or support local events.  They took special pride in their massive Christmas display that they shared at the ranch for all to enjoy.  Most of the displays were designed and built by Dwayne and Shirley spent hours putting the lights on and setting them up every year. 

In 2020, Shirley left her hometown of 85 years and moved to Tulsa to be closer to her doctors and enjoy living near and spending time with her daughter.  She and her beloved dog, Bella, never quite warmed up to the city life.  A country girl at heart, she missed her friends and her hometown.  Shirley’s greatest passion was spending time with her family.

Surviving are sons, Michael W. Kennett, Richard “Rick” M. Lewis, Jr. (wife, Annette); daughter Shari Burnett-Yanulis; and step-son, Kelly D. Ramey (wife, Kelly); grandchildren Michelle Harding (husband, Seth), Miles Kennett (wife, Mandy), Trey Lewis (Jessica), Victoria L. Burnett (Hunter Richardson), Kristin Ramey and William Ramey (Summer).  Great grandchildren Gage (Jasmine) and Jordan Price, Sam Harding, Ryker and Parker Lewis; Vanessa, Noveah and Ayden Johnston; Jenevieve Kennett, Carter Leigh Smith and Bentley A. Richardson; Oakley Ramey; and sister Karen Mack (husband, Larry) of Bison, OK.  Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne Ramey; son-in-law, Joseph Yanulis; daughter-in-law, Pat Lewis; and great granddaughter, Kassie Mae Ramey.

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