Etta Lois Shropshire

Etta Lois Shropshire, 84 of Del City, Oklahoma peacefully transitioned Sunday, July 24, 2022. She was born Etta Lois Gresham July 14, 1938 to Johnie and Myrtle (Henderson) Gresham in Wynnewood, OK, the second oldest of 6 children. She was raised in the Blue Branch community and received Christ in her life at an early age. Etta attended Booker T. Washington High School in Purcell, OK, then attended Byars High School in Byars, OK her senior year after desegregation, graduating in 1956. She was the first African American to receive the honor of valedictorian in an Oklahoma desegregated school. After residing in Wynnewood, Nebraska and Dallas, Texas, Etta made Oklahoma City her permanent home and raised three children. She attended Oscar Rose Junior College, earning an associate degree and also obtaining a real estate license. She worked for the Urban League of OKC, City of OKC, then finished her work life at Rose State College (former Oscar Rose Junior College), with her tenure there lasting 30 years. Etta enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. She always took an interest in civic engagement and encouraged others to do the same. She truly loved her family immensely. She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnie and Myrtle Gresham; brother, James Ralph Gresham; son, Von Readis; daughter, Lynne Readis Montgomery and sisters in love, Joanne Naulls McCowen and Carol Carson Morrison. Etta is survived by her daughter, Kori Cogburn-Bradford and husband Terran Bradford of Moore; brother, Wesley "Jake" Henderson and wife Jean of Longmont, CO; sisters ClaraEtta (Nadine) Overstreet of OKC, Dimple Dillard of OKC and Anita Gresham of Norman; 10 grandchildren, Curtis Montgomery of OKC, Cale Readis of Phoenix, AZ, Anre Edwards of OKC, Santari Readis of OKC, KoriLynne Goudeau of Portland, OR, Jasmine Nero of OKC, Starla Montgomery of Portland OR, Quentin Bradford of Moore, Davonia Lyons of Vancouver, WA and Stevon Bradford of Moore; one aunt, Madge Lee of Atlanta, GA; cousin, Vera Hill of Wynnewood; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; 6 nieces, 6 nephews and a host of other family and friends. Mama, your journey has now begun as a distinguished ancestor. We are forever grateful to you for making our lives bountiful in so many ways. We love you and will miss you so very much. We can never say good-bye, so we embrace your eternal spirit that will stay with us forever. Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Little's Chapel, Wilson-Little. Burial will follow at Red Rock/Blue Branch Cemetery near Byars. Send online condolences @ www.wilsonlittle.com.

Etta Lois Shropshire

July 14, 1938 - July 24, 2022