HITE, Shirley Lou (Jones) - b. May 11, 1935 - d. June 23, 2023

[patyrn]

Shirley Lou Hite, age 88, of Fredonia, Kansas, went home to the Lord on June 23, 2023 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  She was born on May 11, 1935 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Clarence C. and R. Ethyle (Davison) Jones.

Shirley's family moved to Howard, Kansas in the late 1940s and then to a large farm near Longton, Kansas.  She 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.  She received her Associate degree from Coffeyville Community College.  On June 13, 1954 in Longton, Kansas, she married Ralph E. Hite, Jr. whom she had met in high school. They recently celebrated their 69th 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 sharing special solos and 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, Kansas 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 KC Royals, KC Chiefs, and KU Jayhawks, and listening to Elvis.  Shirley also had a passion for researching her and Ralph's family genealogy.  Most importantly, Shirley loved spending time with her family and proactively kept in touch with everyone, maintaining extended family connections.  She treasured her grandchidlren and great-grandchildren and always kept up with their interests and activities.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Ralph; their three children, Ed (Donna) Hite of Houston, Texas, Deb (Bruce) Dickerson of Oswego, Kansas, and Terry (Julie) Hite of Fredonia, Kansas, and her brother, Bill (Phyllis) Jones of Hutchinson, Kansas.  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 along with 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 her brother, Robert Jones.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the Fredonia United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas at 2:30 p.m.  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 have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)