Shirley Mae (Stafford) Reeder February 4, 1957 – July 21, 2025. Shirley was born in Palo Alto, California to Leo Eli Stafford (a Retired Navy Cook), and Shirley Mae (Thompson) Stafford. Shirley was a very loving, understanding and caring person. She loved helping anyone who needed help, always giving of her time willingly.

Her surviving family consists of her loving husband of 27 years, Ronald Reeder, whom she married in Spokane Washington, on May 30th, 1988. They first meet in San Diego, California in June of 1985. She is also survived by her daughter, Melissa, whom she gave up for adoption because she felt Melissa would have a better life and she wanted that for her! Her son, Joshua Ryan (Amanda) Stafford, who was lovingly adopted at 5 yrs old by her husband, her brothers, Her brothers Bill Stafford (who served in the Army in Viet Nam) and Leo Eli Stafford, her seven grandchildren; Chandelle, Julien, Charlotte, Shayla, Grace, Harper and Rilee, whom she loved very much, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Tom Stafford (Retired US Marine).

Shirley became a Christian while her and her family were stationed in Portland, OR, and was baptized a few months later. She received her High School GED in 1975 and later went on to study at a nursing school and graduated with honors. After Shirley and Ronald were married, she continued to work for different Doctor offices before ending her working career working in a Dialysis Office which she truly loved.

She taught herself to crochet and made many baby outfits and blankets for new babies while volunteering at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. She also lovingly made her father, Josh and her husband a full size crocheted American Flag. This was remarkable!!! Another hobby she enjoyed was making jewelry for people she loved. However, I believe her favorite "hobby" was babysitting her four grandchildren. Shirley Mae was a spiritual soul, attended church regularly and shared her Christian passion with others. Shirley excelled in different styles of crafts, including designing and making craft jewelry.

Shirley's brother, Leo Eli Stafford (retired San Diego Phone company) said Shirley is a descendant from English Royalty (King George III). Her father's family (Stafford) arrived in America in 1620 at Plymouth, MA.

Shirley also enjoyed cooking delicious meals for her family. One of Josh's favorite dishes she made was her spaghetti sauce, and she knew it. Every time she made it, she always asked him if he wanted some. Of course he did! He also recalls how she was always supportive of him, especially during all his deployments. She would lovingly send encouraging letters and gift boxes; he really appreciated how she stood by him. The thing he will miss the most is hearing her say, every time they saw each other,

"Goodbye, "Give your momma a hug."

Shirley will be dearly missed by all who loved her!! She was a special soul.