Shirley was born December 19, 1935 in Leavenworth, Kansas the second child of three born to James R. and Gladys (Freedle) Gwartney. She grew up in Easton, Kansas and attended grade school there. However she graduated from Leavenworth High School with the class of 1952 at the age of sixteen. She then went to the Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas and received her teaching degree in 1955. Later in life she attended floral design school.
On June 5, 1956 Shirley married Donald Hanes. The couple made their home in Ottawa and they became the parents of two daughters, Kimberly and Kelly. Shirley taught school in Ottawa for several years and Osawatomie. When the family moved to Illinois for a short time she also taught school. Shirley taught mostly grade school but throughout her teaching career she somehow managed to teach every grade.
In 1969 the family moved to Osawatomie, Kansas and purchased the Tilford Floral Shop and it became Hanes Florist and Greenhouse. Shirley continued to teach in Osawatomie for several more years and her husband ran the floral shop until their marriage ended and Shirley took over the shop.
Shirley married Rex Edward Cherry on September 24, 1976. They made their home in Osawatomie. After Rex retired from the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home he and Shirley worked together in the floral shop. Rex died on February 15, 1987 at the age of 67, they had been married for ten years.
On February 20, 1989 Shirley and James M. Morehead married in Olathe, Kansas and made their home in Osawatomie. Shirley and Jim enjoyed traveling and they journeyed all across the country, took a cruise and loved to take their grandkids on trips. With living next door to her daughter Kelly, Shirley was like a second mom to her grandkids. Family was very important to them. She and Jim were married for almost nine years, Jim died January 18, 1998.
Everyone in town knew Shirley, she not only had been a teacher in town but was a successful business woman and mentor to many. Helping anyone and everyone who needed a helping hand. From buying groceries for those without food to making flower arrangements for a funeral service at no charge when a family could not afford it.
Shirley was a strong supportive woman with a heart of gold and a selfless generosity. Shirley owned and operated Hanes Florist and Greenhouse until 2007 when she sold the business to DJ and Lori Needham.
Shirley was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Osawatomie, a member of the church choir, a member of the Delta Epsilon Society, and served as President on the Miami County Mental Health Board of Directors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and the father of her children.
She is survived by her daughters: Kimberly (Mike) Hodgson of Topeka, KS, Kelly (Jerry) Strait of Osawatomie, KS, and step-daughters: Dee Ellen Slayman of Osawatomie, KS and Jamie (Joe) Sasenick of Lenexa, KS, brother Dr.James(Amy)Gwartney of Tallahassee, FL and sister Dolores(Gene)Thompson of Leavenworth, KS. Grandchildren: Raymond, Mark, Michelle, Zachariah, Josh, Christina, Stephanie, John, Claire and numerous great grandchildren, along with many others who thought of her as a Grandma and a lifetime of friends.
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