Shirley Smith Stayton, age 85, of London passed away Monday, September 20, 2021, at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock.  She was born December 30, 1935, in Unity, Maryland to Isaac Alvie and Virginia Bowman Smith. She was a tomboy and her fathers shadow, which led her developing carpentry skills which she put to good use throughout her life.  Her mother was a strong, independent woman at a time when that was unusual, and Shirley was very proud to say that she was her mother's daughter.

She loved her family, gardening, animals, and wildlife.  She was a loving woman who never let anyone leave her table hungry.  She had a wry sense of humor, was very feisty and over the years she provided multiple members of her extended family love, encouragement, and a loving home.

Shirley started a clerical job at Atomic Energy Commission and Aerojet and later became the first woman to go into the aircraft shop at McClellan Air Force Base as a sheet metal journeyman. She worked on a host of Air Force fighter planes, but her favorite was working on the A10 Warthog Ground Attack Airplane.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and was widowed by her first husband, Ralph Reece and her second husband of 61 years, Clifford Stayton; a brother, Nick Smith; and three sisters, Catherine West, Hedy Northey, and Alvia Ball, to whom she was especially close to.

Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Clifford Jr. and Patricia Stayton and Dale Stayton; two daughters and a son-in-law. Susie Reece-Stayton and Carol and (Dan Sertich) Stayton-Plott; six grandchildren, Shannon, Jared, Lonnie, Clifford, Christina and Keila; and 10 great-grandchildren, Tristen, Greyson, Riley, Emilee, Clifford, Evelyn, Angelica, Aidan, Finnley and Audrey.

All services are private, and arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Memorials may be made to Needy Paws Animal Shelter, Post Office Box 523, Clarksville, Arkansas 72830, or the animal shelter of the donors choosing.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.