Memory from Lloyd her nephew

Some of my best memories of Aunt Shirley were summers I spent in Christmas Arizona and Globe with her and Dean. She would spoil us rotten and make us Green Chile burritos everyday. She made the best burritos in town. I will miss her smiling face and joyful personality. If I ever had a problem I could always talk to her. She was the most level headed person I know. I will miss her a lot.

Love,

Lloyd Hunter

Memory from Eileen

We lived in Washington DC and were visiting Arizona and somehow found our way to Globe. We saw a "For Sale" sign in a downtown store window and decided to stop in the bar next door to ask about it. It looked scary and we were hesitant, but the door was open and we saw a woman (Shirley) behind the bar so we ventured in. She was not even working that day but had stopped by for some reason, and the bartender on duty and the owner were playing darts so Shirley waited on us. She carded us so we liked her immediately. We asked about the building next door and she said it was the bar and the whole building for sale, and proceeded to tell us everything we needed to know. She told the owner we were interested in the bar but she took one look at us, said we didn't have any money, and didn't want to be bothered. If Shirley had not been there that day, we would never have bought the Drift Inn Saloon. Fate is a mysterious thing.

Memory from Bonnie her cousin

Here is a fun memory I have of cute Shirley.

When Shirley and Doug went to Peru Shirley was worried she wouldn't find out if Dr. Richard Kimble...(David Jansen)...of the T.V. show "The Fugitive" would find the one armed man that really killed his wife. So I promised her I would write her as soon as we found out. And I did. I filled her in on all the news. I was in high school because I told her about my boyfriend, Leland Fife....Gale's brother. I know all this because I still have the 3 page hand written letter she wrote back to me. She told me all about what life was like living in Peru. The coolest thing I remember was that she had a MAID! How fun for her.

Shirley will have a happy reunion with her sweet little Gail.

Poem by Shirley from 1973

Twas just before Christmas and all thru the house

Someone was creeping, he was really a louse

He filled his stockings, but that wasn’t enough

So he hit every room, and got some more stuff

He took jewelry and sweaters, at least three or four

Then he took Doug’s shorts right out of the drawer

He worked very quickly, to the kitchen he flew

And grabbed all the Marlboros and my B & H too

Then wrapping our goods in the Peruvian Rug

He crept into the night looking very smug

Now it wasn’t Santa that went out of that door

Because Santa can’t fit in Doug’s size 34

But we’ve paused to think- things aren’t so bad

He can’t take away all the good times we’ve had

And he can’t take our loved ones, so even tho’ you’re not near

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Barbara’s memory

This picture shows the three of us sisters playing dress up in our aunt’s hats, gloves and purses. My fondest memory of Shirley was when she was in grade school. Even at that tender age she was compassionate, kind, & always looked out for those less fortunate. One day she came home from school with a little Indian boy named Elbert Wall. (It’s amazing that Elayne & I still remember his name). He had a dirty face & a runny nose. Shirley softened our hearts when she told mother that she brought him home to play because no one else in school would play with him. Throughout her life, Shirley was still the kind and compassionate person who brought that little boy to our home.

(1944 Shirley, Barbara, Elayne)

Obituary in Spectrum of Cedar City January 29th

Middleton July 8, 1934– January 18, 2012
Shirley Green Middleton of Globe, AZ, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Mesa, AZ after a brief bout with cancer.
She was born on July 8, 1932 in Cedar City, UT to DeVon Pryor Green and Dorothy Dix Green. She grew up in Cedar City, where she was active in high school activities and was a contestant in the Miss Cedar City pageant.
On April 29, 1953, Shirley married Douglas Wade Middleton. hey were married for 22 years, and had two children, Dean and Gail. Doug worked in the mining industry, which gave them the opportunity to live in many interesting places. They spent several years living in Peru, where they met many life long friends. Shirley remembered this time with fondness.
Shirley met and married Tom Woods in Globe AZ. They were later divorced.
Shirley was owner and operator of The Drift Inn in Globe, and after selling it continued to work there until 3 weeks prior to her death. When she wasn’t working her regular shift at the bar, Shirley spent her time gardening. She coaxed heirloom tomatoes, chilies, onions, cucumbers, and more to grow from the Arizona soil, and she was generous in sharing this delicious bounty with everyone. She was also quite the poet, and poured her quick sense of humor into her poems. If you were lucky enough to receive one, you knew you were special.
Shirley was a dedicated football fan. She loved the Dallas Cowboys and loved nothing more than watching a good game and talking shop with her family and her friends at the Drift Inn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter, Gail. Shirley is survived by her son Douglas Dean Middleton of Globe, AZ; sisters, Barbara Gunnels of Farmington, NM and Elayne Fife of St. George, UT; and one grandchild. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews and cousins who were privileged to spend much time with her and who will miss her immensely.
A celebration of her life was held in Globe, AZ at the Drift Inn.
Shirley will be remembered with love by her family and many friends for her free and independent spirit, her admirable work ethic, generosity, compassion, and her unfailing service to others. Shirley was a kind and thoughtful person and a heck of a lot of fun.
The family would like to thank her close friends, Lisa and Eileen, who lovingly cared for her during her short illness.

Memory from Elayne

When I was in the 3rd grade, Shirley wrote in my autograph book and said, “ Dear Elaine, you are the stupidest person I know. Sincerely, Shirley Green”. I dug it out of the archives a few years ago and told Shirley what she wrote. She couldn’t believe she actually wrote it and to add insult to injury, she even misspelled my name. Our family all laughed at it and it became a family joke. Two years ago, I reciprocated with this Birthday card and we all had another good laugh.



She was a very unique person and I always admired and looked up to her for her independent and kind spirit. Barbara, Shirley and I always had tons of fun together and we knew how to laugh a lot.. I will miss her greatly.