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Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 17 October 2016 17 October 2016

Shirley Raphun rsShirley L. Raphun, 91, went to join loved ones at the Rainbow Bridge on October 9, 2016.

Shirley was born August 13, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Clifford and Evelyn Beeker.

Shirley lived most of her life in Indiana, where she worked many years as a bank teller. She and her late husband Charles "Jeep" Jackson moved to New Mexico in 1971.

In March of 1991 she met her second husband Ret. Lt. Col. Leland R. Raphun. They were married later that year, and lived in Las Cruces, NM until Leland passed away in 2004. Shirley returned to Silver City to happily live the rest of her life with her family.

Anyone who knew Shirley knew what a great wonderful person she was. Shirley had a special love for animals of all kinds. She was never without a dog or cat. She had a great sense of humor and would love to make people laugh at her jokes. She loved to play cards and read books.

Shirley is survived by her son, Randy Jackson of Las Vegas, NV; her daughter, Lisa V. Laws and husband Jerry; her grandchildren, Lara and Paul Hollinger of CA; Bo and Tanya Laws of Bayard; Jennifer Laws who was her loving caregiver; Kelli Jackson Salchi of CA and Chase Jackson of
NV; and her great grandchildren, Adrian Melon, Autumn, Titus and Lozen Laws.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford Beeker and Evelyn and Dallas Wright, husbands Charles "Jeep" Jackson and Ret. Lt. Col. Leland R. Raphun, her grandson, R.J. Jackson and her great grandsons, Esai Laws, Echo Laws and and Kaleesi Salchi of CA.

In lieu of flowers, in Shirley's honor the family has asked donations be made to the High Desert Humane Society or the Puppy Dog Ranch.

At her wish she has been cremated. Her ashes will be laid to rest in the spring at a special place she loved to go in Pinetop, AZ.

Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.

To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.