Shirley was born in Eldridge, Missouri, Laclede County. The daughter of Charles Lester Perry and Carrie Bell (Young) Perry was born on February 12th, 1942. Shirley graduated Lebanon High School and then finished her higher education in Kansas City, Missouri. There she majored in Accounting and Business Management. Shirley's stay in Kansas City proved to be both busy and successful. Shirley was employed as a Rental Agent and managed Day Properties. She also worked at Truman Medical Center North as a Senior Clerk in Radiology. Shirley also owned and operated a lady's boutique. For several years, she worked for Pelson Shoe Corporation who quickly promoted her to a management position. During the last several years of her stay in Kansas City, she was employed as a paralegal for a local law firm.

One of the things Shirley enjoyed in Kansas City was helping local officials get elected. She worked hard behind the scenes of the campaigns talking to people and getting more votes. Shirley never wanted to be part of the limelight though.

Shirley spent many years of her life sitting with terminally ill patients. She not only loved people but loved life also. Shirley felt right at home in any situation whether she was attending a Presidential Banquet or just simply sitting alongside the lake from conversing with a local farmer. Her phone and doorbell were always ringing with someone who needed a shoulder to cry on, someone who needed advice, or someone who simply needed a few dollars loaned until payday.

Shirley enjoyed dining at nice restaurants, but also loved browsing local antique stores. When possible, she loved to peruse museum exhibits. She loved traveling all over the United States in her RV meeting new friends along the way. When Shirley wasn't traveling, she enjoyed home decorating and growing flower gardens, particularly roses. She did not believe in wasting a day of her life. Shirley had two mottos: "Embrace life and live it to the fullest," and "Wherever you go, whatever you do, I will always love you."

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Ross and her parents.

Shirley is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and her friend and companion for several years, William Johns.