Shirley LaDean Jennings

Shirley La Dean Jennings, of Oklahoma City, OK went to her heavenly home on Friday January 28, 2022 at Autumn Leaves of Southwest Oklahoma City. She was born on December 11, 1937 in Holdenville, OK to Carl Sr. and Sophia Jennings.

Shirley was a 1956 graduate of Fairview High School and was hired to work in Holdenville’s nursing home for the summer. She moved to Norman, Oklahoma University School of Nursing, then applied for a job a Norman Oklahoma’s Mental Health Hospital. She was the first black professional hired by the hospital and was assigned to work in the medical and surgical units. She worked for two years and transferred to Shawnee Oklahoma Baptist University. After passing the pre-nursing courses, she transferred to Baptist Memorial Hospital (Integris Baptist Medical Center) and completed the hospital’s student nursing program in 1963. Three years later she graduated and began working for BMH as a professional nurse.

Her career began as a surgery technician in emergency rooms with critical patients. Her career progressed and changed as Baptist progressed and changed. After three and a half years as a staff nurse she accepted a position as Administrative Supervisor, then promoted to Assistant Director of Patient Care services. Later, the title of Nursing Support Coordinator described her next position.

She was well liked and respected in her field. She was admired by physicians, students, and nursing staff. Her advice to nurses; “Stop to give yourself or someone else a pat on the back. Even though Nurse appreciation Day comes but once a year, you are always needed and appreciated. Share those feelings with fellow workers, be dedicated and professional – but above all, take time for yourself.”

Shirley retired from Integris Baptist Medical Center in 2004, but did not slow down. She continued conducting workshops and teaching medical education at Francis Tuttle Vocational Center. Shirley was very talented and liked working with her hands. She knew her way under the hood of a Chevy, but you wouldn’t catch her fooling with a Ford or Dodge. She built furniture, made drapes, pillows, decorated model homes, and was a craft store merchant. She built doll houses and entered the state fair. She was a volunteer for the Oklahoma City Office of Emergency Management and also a member of the OKC Police department Citizens Police Academy. She raised calves, loved dogs and could tell you what type of bird was singing in a tree.

Shirley is preceded in death by one infant brother Hobert, her father and mother, her brothers, Carl Jennings, Jr. Harold Jennings, Hubert Jennings, Sr. and Wesley Jennings. And sisters Lola Jennings - Woods, and Edna Jennings. She leaves to cherish fond memories: Her daughter Teresa Jennings, her brothers Adrian (Lois) Jennings, Edwin (Marjorie) Jennings; her sisters, Linda Barnett, Glenda (Booker) Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.

A special thanks to Connie Moore, Angela Lockley, Glenda and Booker Smith and the staff at Comfort Keepers for their in-home care and companionship. And to Autumn Leaves memory care, especially Carnell, Jillian, Lee, Robert, Chris, Jan, and Leighann. Also Jean and the Suncrest Hospice care staff for their caring and kindness shown to Shirley and her family during her brief stay before the Lord called her home.