Shirley Ruth (Sutton) Wilson

The following tribute was lovingly written by Shirley's daughter, Jolene. While many knew and loved Shirley in their own unique way, these words reflect the memories, experiences, and special bond shared between a daughter and her mother. 

Shirley Ruth (Sutton) Wilson

My feisty, beautiful momma. This is my story of her. I know others will have their own story, but these are my memories.

She was born to Clarence Vachel and Patsy Ruth Davidson Sutton in Bakersfield, California on October 10, 1956. After moving to Arizona, part of a large family with three sisters (Linda, Collette & Sheri) and three brothers (Zeke, Luke & Mike) she grew up fast, taking care of siblings and hoeing cotton to help the household.  I’ve heard many stories of her childhood where she was a tomboy,  and tough as all the boys she ran with in Chandler Heights. 

She was fortunate enough to have found the love of her life in my father at only 16 years old. She married Christopher Michael “Kip” Wilson on July 17, 1973. They were blessed to have almost 53 years together. 

Although money was tight, love was not , and they had three children, myself, Jolene Kaye, Jason Michael and Bobby Joe by the time they turned 22. We lived in the “Valley of the Sun” of Arizona until 1988 when we moved to Pinedale, Arizona. It was here where my mom experienced the worst heartache a mom can endure and Bobby Joe beat her to heaven at only 14 years old.  She barely survived the weight of that pain and I’m sure she’s rejoicing to be with her baby again. 

To make ends meet, she did many different jobs through the years but mostly she cleaned-from people’s homes, to move outs, she scrubbed and shined a place to perfection. She also spent several years managing apartment complexes until she finally decided to stay home and just care for those she loved. By this time, she had grandchildren in other states she had to hop on airplanes and travel to be with! 

As empty nesters, she and my father left Pinedale and spent some years in Georgia, South Carolina and finally, Arkansas while my father worked at different paper mills. She made wherever they were, home-home for any of us to retreat to when we needed one of her fierce hugs.  Her houses were always home to me. 

Delicious aromas filled the kitchen, it was always clean and tidy because she was always cleaning. She insisted she could not go to bed without a spotless home so sweeping, mopping dusting and vacuuming were tasks completed by her every single day. Outside, you’d always find beautiful flowers and gardens. She taught me a love of growing beautiful things and I’ll forever be grateful we got to grow things together the past 5 years. 

As you age, you come to realize the career you spend so much time on, your goals and ambitions outside of your family, and the toys and possessions you own, actually pale in meaning to the fulfillment you gain in your relationships to your parents, siblings, children, grand children and so forth. My mom seemed to always have this wisdom. Her family always came first. 

My brothers and I were her pride and joy, then came the grands and greats. Moments with them she’d beam through any pain or heartache she was experiencing even if it took her days to recover. 
She loved watching her kids in sports and never missed a game she could get to. Soccer, baseball, basketball, softball to gymnastics and cheerleading, she’d be the one who would be heard yelling & directing-even when some of us wished she wouldn't. Refs and other teams that didn’t behave the right way, knew how she felt, but her kids (grands included) always knew she was in their corner rooting for them as their loudest cheerleader. We also knew if there was a fight to be in, she would back any of us and never back down.  We also had to be careful she didn’t get us into fights!! That red head of hers got her into some battles! 

She loved so hard.  Her empathy was often at her own detriment. My mom was often perceived as tough, but that was an image. She created that tough exterior to hide the softness inside. Her feelings were hurt easily and she felt pain deeply.  

I remember my mom’s home becoming temporary refuge to many different family members over the years. She’d open her home up to anyone to help them out. If it wasn’t a home you needed, she would always listen and give guidance.  You could count on her to be truthful, often times, blunt. We knew her to speak her truth and mind!! Countless of my cousins benefited from their relationships with her. 

Feeding you was her love language. She loved cooking and baking and did it better than anyone else. Pots of beans, pinto & green, tamales at Christmas, lemon and orange cakes for birthdays, key lime or chocolate pie for family events…you name it, she’d do it with love and gusto. For years, she and her BFF Thelma, would spend hours baking ‘together’ over the phone, each in different states. 

One of her greatest gifts was her ability to connect with children.  Somehow, they would all feel her love deeply. She would always get on their level, whether that was the dirt, cement, bounce house or grass and rough and tumble with them. She’d swing them high (scare the crap out of me!) but have them giggling. She once chased me across a playground laughing so hard because she’d pushed me too high and I was scared to death! 

The monster game was her specialty and she scared the bejesus out of all of her grands and she’d laugh hysterically. They’d always come back for more Grammy time. When Kaylen was young and hurt or sad, she’d always tell me, “I want my Grammy!!” 

At Christmas, she was Santa Clause and the kids thought it was the most magical thing ever to be spoiled so by her. She was a giver-all she wanted in return was love. I was always afraid to tell her I liked something of hers because she would then give it to me. My mom was selfless. 

She’d always say to the babies, “Give Grammy some sugars!” and they would go in for a big old hug and kiss, smack on the mouth! 

She loved lemons and loved even more so that her great grand babies did too. 

She loved onions and jalapeños, chili dogs without cheese but double the onions, hamburgers, Taco Bell, Mexican food and home cooking. She wasn’t much into chocolate or sweets but salty and sour were her favorites. Pickles, pickle juice and puffy Cheetos were some of her go-to special treats the past few years. 

Wherever she lived, the birds and wild animals were well fed. She spent hours watching the birds and squirrels.  She always missed her turkeys after she left Pinedale. She understood to value of simplicity and life and taught that to all of us. 

My best friend, my champion, the one I’d call the moment I wanted to talk-she was my momma. She taught me how to be a mom and grandmother. I don’t know how I’m supposed to go on without being able to call & tell you everything and ask for advice. Going outside and not seeing you tend your flowers or ride around on your golf cart is going to leave an irreplaceable emptiness here. 

The night before you left us, I hugged you so hard and I do believe for all of my 52 years, it was the first time you pulled away first and I just knew you were done fighting. I hate these past few months were so hard for you to endure and I’m glad you are free of pain. Now, the pain of living without you is mine to bear. I love you mom. 

Shirley is survived by her husband, Christopher "Kip" Wilson; her children, Jolene Kaye (Wilson) Perkins, and Jason Michael Wilson; her grandchildren, Taylor, Kaylen, Autumn, Jadyn, Bobbi, and Jace; her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Hudson, Tucker, Isabel, Hensley, Waylon, and Milo; and her siblings, Luke, Mike, and Collette Sutton.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Patsy Sutton; her son, Bobby Joe Wilson; and her siblings, Zeke, Linda, and Sheri Sutton.
Shirley's life was honored and celebrated by her loved ones on June 7, 2026. Cremation is entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel. 

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