Shirley (Byers) Laws

Shirley B. Laws, age 93, passed away on November 20th, 2023, 11 days after her husband of 72 years, Douglas. 

She was born December 11, 1929, on a table in her grandmother’s house to Louis Hunter Byers and Allene Mills Byers in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Shirley was an accomplished pianist, and won a college scholarship at age 18 to the University of Oklahoma with her rendition of “Malaguena,” a virtuoso concert piano solo. Later, she would teach piano.

Shirley met her husband, Douglas Laws, at a street dance. They married in 1951, and remained together for over 72 years. 

Shirley and Doug lived in multiple states and countries, including Tennessee, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and Texas; also Japan and Germany. 

She also traveled abroad to over 50 countries with Doug, including Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany, Tahiti, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Shirley was a beloved Wife and Mother, a supportive Grandmother, and a beaming Great Grandmother ~ life’s Quadruple Crown. The children in her family brought her great joy ~ she was proud of her three sons, Gary, Scott, and Jay; as well as grandchildren Brian, David, and Michelle; and three great grandchildren Kennedy, Shiloh, and Sammy. 

The family remembers her as sweet-natured and kind. She believed in fostering and building GOOD relationships. She was known throughout the family for her cookies and desserts, particularly her Never-Fail Chocolate Cake and Congo Squares, which were front and center at every family celebration for over 50 years.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Louis and Allene Byers, her husband Doug, and son Jay B. Laws. She is survived by her son Scott and his wife Caroline of Red Oak, Gary and his partner Jose Franco, of San Francisco, and six grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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