Shirley Ann Hilliard, AKA “Mimi” was born August 26,1945 in Geary, Oklahoma to parents Otto and Ada Lee.
She departed this life to be with her heavenly father on Friday, October 21, 2022.
Shirley was raised on a farm in Custer County, Oklahoma.
In her early years, Shirley attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Pleasant Hill School, as the church offered a one classroom school. Shirley was baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ at the Custer City Baptist Church and as she progressed in school, Shirley attended Custer City Schools and graduated in 1963.
In 1965, she met and fell in love with Jody Hilliard who was a student at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. They were married in 1967 and in 1968, moved to Elgin, Oklahoma, where they would begin to grow their family. In December of 1968, Brint was born, and Cary was added to the fold in September of 1972.
After Jody completed his master’s degree, they moved to Elgin where he began his teaching career at Elgin High School. Shirley found employment as a secretary in the school system.
A few years later, Shirley was hired as a secretary for the Central Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1982, the family moved to Duncan, where Jody served as a minister on staff and Shirley served as secretary to Pastor Brad Allen at First Baptist Church. She served in this role until she was called to direct the Children’s Ministry of the church.
Shortly after accepting her ministry position, Shirley and her dear friend Joan Billings coordinated the beginnings of the Child Development Center and Shirley was hired as the first director. Shirley served the First Baptist Church of Duncan children and families for over 30 years before retiring from fulltime service.
Through the years in Children’s Ministry, Shirley impacted thousands of children and families through leading efforts in evangelism, Christ-centered education, and children’s ministry programs.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Jody.
She is survived by son Reverend Brint Alan Hilliard and his wife, Sharilyn Hilliard of St.
Charles, Missouri, along with their children Joshua, Bailee, and Peyton, son Reverend Doctor Cary Hilliard and his wife, Kelli Hilliard of Edmond, Oklahoma, along with their children Auburn, Carson, and Eden.
She is also survived by her brothers, Eddie Lee of Custer City, Oklahoma and Lyle Lee of Clinton, Oklahoma.
The family will receive guests at a visitation Thursday, October 27th from 6:30-8:00 at Whitt Funeral Home.
A service in celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 28th in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Duncan.
Dr. Bryan Payne, Rev. Brint Hilliard and Dr. Cary Hilliard will officiate the service with music presented by Reverend Ron Fannin and Reverend David Leu. Interment will follow at 3:30 PM at the Masonic Cemetery in Custer City, OK.
The family encourages that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First Baptist Church Child Development Center in honor of Shirley Hilliard. Services are under the direction of Crawford Family Funeral Service, Edmond.