Shirley Anne Sherrell Kates

Shirley Anne Sherrell Kates, beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, left this world on April 14th. She was 91 years old. Shirley was born on February 27, 1935, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Lawrence Clifford Sherrell, a horseman, and Mary Grace Fields, an artist and seamstress. She had two dear sisters, Sudie and Peggy. They grew up on a farm in Broken Arrow. Shirley loved her pony, Blackie. They did tricks together and she even let him come into the house sometimes. In high school, Shirley met the love of her life, Jerry Kates. They played in the high school band together, and after high school, they played together in the University of Oklahoma band. Shirley and Jerry were joyfully married on January 20th 1957, in Broken Arrow. Their love, a dream kind of love, inspired everyone that knew them. Shirley and Jerry built a life together in Gladewater, Texas, with their children, Harry, Jack, Matt, and Sissy after the family bought the local newspaper. They were active members in the First Methodist church and special community events like Gusher Days’ Settin on the Woodbine. Shirley cherished her family and friends. She loved camping trips to Colorado, sipping coffee in the mountains early in the morning, evening barge rides on the lake, playing piano, singing, taking care of her plants and her dogs, and watching her grandkids and great-grandkids grow. She is survived by her three children, Harry Kates, Matt, and Teresa Kates, Sissy Kates, all of Gladewater. Her grandchildren Tony Turner, Chris Webb (Elissa), Jacqueline Webb Smith, Bruce Kates (Amy), Joel Duraso, Josie Duraso, and Jacob Duraso. Her great grandchildren Eli Kates, Ella Kates, Jersey Turner, Caleb Turner, Tyler Smith, Mark Smith, Matthew Smith, Ellie Webb, Maggie Webb, Lilly Webb, Jameson Wyatt Duraso, Aryana Duraso, Heavenly Duraso, and Cyprus Kates. And her two sisters, Sudie Cypert and Peggy Van Dyke. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her son, Jack, her granddaughter, Rebecca, and her parents. Her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her will remember her as the world’s most warm and loving woman. Her precious memory and light will be a blessing on our hearts forever. Memorial services for Shirley Kates will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, April 20, 2026, at First Methodist Church, Gladewater, with Pastor Wade Harman officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home. Please visit Shirley’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Shirley Anne Sherrell Kates

February 27, 1935 - April 14, 2026