Shirley Anderson Combs

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend, Shirley Anderson Combs passed away July 22, 2024 at the age of 92 of Alzheimer’s at home surrounded by family. 

Shirley was born March 24, 1932 at home in her grandmother’s bed to her parents Flossie F. Winn and Celestine A. Anderson in Bingham Canyon. She was raised in the town of Lark, Bingham Canyon and Copperton, Utah. Her family was so excited for a new baby that her mother and aunts created a frilly float for the town parade and placed baby Shirley dressed in white lace to play the part of “Miss Copperfield”. Shirley was nicknamed Curly by her friends because of her curly dark hair; and her Grandmothers called her “My Treasure” and “Precious”. 

Shirley met her husband Lee Combs at the teenage club she founded in Chouteau Oklahoma, they married in 1950 and raised 6 children, a few grandkids and a foster child in the states of Utah, Missouri and Oklahoma. They owned and operated several steel businesses, raised registered Angus cattle, Thoroughbred horses, Quarter horses, Appaloosas, Arabian Horses and participated in horse racing and show events. They enjoyed hobby farming with large gardens, milk cows, steers, a couple of porky pigs and plenty of chickens and turkeys. Shirley did all the bookkeeping for the various businesses and stock records, she canned all the produce that Lee would harvest, she made butter when he milked the cow, she helped butcher and wrap the pigs, steers and poultry and packed the freezers full. She got a kick out of being a “farm wife”. She shared their home grown bounty with neighbors and friends. When Shirley and Lee retired in Utah, her home state, she decided to begin a new career working as a Bank Teller at First Security Bank (now Wells Fargo), worked for SOS Temporary Services and lastly was employed to do the bookkeeping and medical insurance billing for West Jordan Physical Therapy, where she later retired a second time so she could help raise her grandkids. 

Shirley enjoyed singing, dancing, playing the piano and ukulele; she loved all kinds of music, especially the old country western music. She loved bowling, playing pinochle with her card club, crocheting, sewing, cooking, arts and crafts, riding the Ferris Wheel, visiting with friends, neighbors and family, traveling, playing Bingo at the senior center, studying the bible and preaching the good news; Shirley was a baptized dedicated member of Jehovah Witnesses. Shirley looked forward to the annual Cousins Party and the Bingham High School Class Reunion of 1950. She very much loved her cousins and her high school classmates; they were all very close friends and were raised together as one big family, taking care of one another in the Bingham Copperton area; they stayed in contact all of their lives. 

Shirley was a beautiful person inside and out and was very fun loving, and down to earth. She was always impeccably dressed for the occasion, be it formal or casual. Her favorite color was red. She loved to drive her fancy cars. When Shirley made a friend it was a friend for life; she had many friends. Her greatest joy was holding her grandbabies and playing with all of her grandkids, she loved them all dearly and they loved her. Her grandkids all had special names for her, like Grandma Darling, Grandma Shirley, Grandma Combs, GMA GMA. She valued and loved her family and adored her sister and cousins.

Shirley was thrilled to be part of a 5 generation photo of all first born women where Shirley was the baby in 1932; the original photo was printed in the newspaper. She recreated this photo in her own family where Shirley became the eldest Great Great Grandma and again all women linked to the same family line mother-daughter, mother-daughter, etc. She was able to see this in her eldest daughter’s family twice, and again another two times in her second daughter’s family. She was so proud of this phenomenon. 

Shirley Anderson Combs life was a melody of love, hard work, music, fun, humor and laughter. A tune that will resonate in the hearts of those she touched forever. She will be greatly missed. 

Shirley is survived by her children: Sharon (Dan), Shirley Jean, Brenda (Curt), Julie (Mike), Rocky (Brooke), 15 Grandchildren, 39 Great Grandkids, 16 Great Great Grandkids and her Sister LaVon.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Lee Combs, her son Clint Combs, parents Celestine and Flossie Winn Anderson, Step Father Clint Raper, and many loved Cousins, Grand-Parents, Aunts and Uncles, Nephews, Great-Grandson and so many other remembered loved ones.

A special thank you to Shirley’s son-in-law Curt for the many loving hours he gave in caring for Shirley and entertaining her with music and watching sports such as golf and baseball. Shirley loved Curt dearly. Many thanks to our puppy for his dedication in keeping track of Shirley during the worst part of Alzheimer’s and entertaining and playing with her every day. We want to thank Shirley’s hospice team Nikki, Camille, Cristina, April, Kim, Ed, and a huge thank you to Katie Jo for their dedication and gentle care.

Shirley requested Viewing and Funeral services to be private. Her final resting place will be next to her husband at Memorial Redwood Cemetery and Mausoleum 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.