- Date Of Birth: August 6, 1933
- Date Of Death: November 16, 2019
- State: Colorado
Shirley Rae (Clark) Payne, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away on November 16, 2019 at the age of 86 years old. She was born on August 6, 1933 to Benjamin Ray Clark and Mamie Gertrude Clark.
Shirley graduated as valedictorian of her high school class at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado. But, as much as she is remembered for her academic achievements, she is often remembered for her great talent in playing the accordion. Her accordion skills were requested at every reunion, but as time went on none of the men could help her carry the accordion in, so she had to find someone from a younger class to help.
Shirley valued hard work. During her working career she worked at Western Union, The Martin Company, C.A. Norgren Company, as a court reporter, and ultimately as a petroleum landman, becoming one of the first female petroleum landmen in Colorado’s history.
