On Jan. 13, 2013, Shirley Graham succumbed to her illness and passed on to be with her God and family in Heaven. Shirley was 76 years of age and had been battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder for many years.
On May 18, 1936, Shirley was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah, to her father Wallace Ramme and her Mother Genevieve Jones. Though she had no training, Shirley spent her younger years learning to play piano, accordion, guitar and other instruments. Even though she could not read music, Shirley had a special talent to play by ear, a talent she used to entertain many people over the years.
Shirley married Henry Virgil Keller and mothered nine children: Sheri, Beverly, Marie, Mary Catherine, Carolyn, Michael, Steven, Patrick and Kenneth. When her marriage ended, Shirley took over the responsibility of providing for her young children still at home.
In 1976 Shirley married Bobby Marcellus Graham in Amarillo, Texas. After spending time in Amarillo and Denver, Bobby and Shirley, along with the children, decided to settle in Colorado Springs, Colo. Much to the enjoyment of her children, sitting in the living room and enjoying the music, Shirley spent many days playing amazing piano instrumentals on her Baby Grand, while Bobby worked hard to provide a good life for the family.
A few years after Bobby's passing, Shirley decided to move to Las Vegas and became a Pan Poker dealer at the Union Plaza Casino. Since then, Shirley lived and worked in the smaller Nevada towns of Winnemucca, Elko and Wendover. Shirley moved from Wendover back to Winnemucca in 2010 and spent the rest of her days doing the things she loved: cooking, sewing, playing on her keyboard and cheering on her beloved Denver Broncos during football season.
Shirley's legacy of love and sacrifice will live on through the many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she is leaving behind.
Shirley Graham, our beloved mother, and friend, we love you always and will keep you in our hearts.
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