Shirley L. Hite's Obituary
Shirley Lou Hite, 88, of Fredonia, went home to the Lord on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center invWichita. Shirley was born on May 11, 1935, in Blackwell, OK, the daughter of Clarence C. and R. Ethyle (Davison) Jones.
Shirley’s family moved to Howard, KS in the late 1940’s and then to a large farm near Longton, KS. Shirley played basketball at Longton High School and graduated a year ahead of schedule in 1953. Shirley was also involved in the Round Up Horse Club during high school. Shirley received her Associate degree from Coffeyville Community College. On June 13, 1954, in Longton, KS, Shirley married Ralph E. Hite, Jr., whom she met in high school. They recently celebrated their 69 th wedding anniversary.
Shirley and Ralph established their new home in Kansas City where they raised their three children, Ed, Deb, and Terry. Maintaining close connections with family was very important to Shirley and they regularly spent wonderful weekends and holidays at her parents’ farm with aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family enjoyed taking camping trips and vacations in Arkansas and Colorado. She was active in their church, singing in the choir and special solos, playing the piano and the organ.
Shirley began her 50-year real estate career when she obtained her realtor license in 1973 working for White House Realty until 1987. She obtained her brokerage license in 1975, and in 1987, she established her own company, KC Classic Realtors, Inc., which she still operated up to her passing. She greatly enjoyed her career.
Shirley and Ralph moved to Fredonia in 1998 after Ralph’s retirement. Outside of her real estate career, Shirley enjoyed playing Bridge, either in competitive clubs, groups, or just with family and friends. She enjoyed antiques, collectibles, watching the Royals, Chiefs and Jayhawks, and listening to Elvis. Shirley also had a passion for researching her and Ralph’s family’s genealogy. Most importantly, Shirley loved spending time with her family and proactively kept in touch with everyone maintaining extended family connections. She treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren and always kept up with their interests and activities.
Shirley is survived by her husband Ralph; their three children, Ed Hite and wife Donna of Houston, TX; Deb Dickerson and husband Bruce of Oswego, KS; Terry Hite and wife Julie of Fredonia, KS; and her brother, Bill Jones and wife Phyllis of Hutchinson, KS. Shirley was blessed with seven grandchildren; Alexandra (Jonathan) Newport, Meredith Hite, Chad (Nichole) Puskas, Kylee (Jason) Heape, Travis (Bethany) Bliss, T.J. Hite and Josh (Leslie) Hite; and eight great grandchildren, Luciana Newport, Makayla and Denton Puskas, Karsyn Hite, Macie Ables, and Bailey, Jaiden and Madi Bliss. She also has numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Robert Jones.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Fredonia United Methodist Church at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, KS at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com Memorials have been suggested to either: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Fredonia United Methodist Church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Services under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home 420 S. 20 th St., P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736.
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