Shelley Ann Meyer's Obituary
Shelley Ann Gwartney Meyer was born December 13, 1957 – a Friday – to Berle and Carolyn Gwartney in Tulsa, OK. Weighed in at 7lbs 9 oz and 19 ½ inches. At age 5 she became a world traveler, moving to Tripoli Libya. She lived there for 7 years (Kindergarten through 6th grade). In 7th grade she moved to Malaysia for 1 year. In 8th grade she moved to London where she lived for 2 years. In 10th grade she moved to Cairo where she completed high school.
In 1976 she returned state side to attend college at OU where she was immediately overwhelmed by the size of some of the classes (they were larger than her entire school of K – 12). Shelley planned on majoring in Physical Therapy. She met Roger Meyer that fall and they fell in love. They both moved to Tulsa in the summer of 1977 where Shelley had been born and where Roger’s parents lived. Shelley was unable to find a local college with a PT program so she switched to Radiation Technician. They were married 12/31/1977 following Roger’s graduation from college in May. Their daughter Kailan was born on 3/18/1980. They moved to Broken Arrow in 1982. Their son Michael was born 11/5/1984.
Shelley and Roger moved to Collinsville, OK in 2005. While working toward her RT degree she injured her back and settled on a business major. Shelley worked as a volunteer in the library at Arrowhead Elementary in Broken Arrow. From there she became the school’s computer specialist. During this time she was also part owner in a small computer store. Shelley changed jobs to work for Volunteers of America – OK. She worked as the Payroll Manager and eventually became the Director of Homeless Services. She then decided to become a stay at home mother once again. Before Shelley left VOA she earned her master’s degree in business administration from Bartlesville Wesleyan.
Along the line Shelley also was a Sunday School teacher, a VBS Director, and a member of the church counsel at Bethany and Joy Lutheran churches in Tulsa. Shelley also made Baptism Banners for the Baptisms that were held at Joy. Shelley was very creative and enjoyed making various items from the banners, to ceramic art, to needle point, and making necklaces from beads. She enjoyed attending NASCAR races and her kid’s/grandson’s sporting events.
Shelley was preceded in death by her son Michael Meyer and her father Berle Gwartney. She is survived by her husband Roger Meyer; her mother Carolyn Gwartney; her daughter Kailan Helm; her 3 grandsons TJ, Caden, and Daxson Helm; her Aunt Ann Sitz, and assorted cousins, nephews, and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the American Heart Association.
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