Shirley R. Duran, 83, of Highland, died early Saturday morning, January 28, 2017, at Highland Healthcare Center where she had been a resident for nearly 10 years.

Shirley was born at Horton, August 17, 1933, one of two children born to Francis Murray and Goldie Elizabeth Huber Coleman. 

She grew up at Troy.  She graduated at Highland High School in 1951; then attended and graduated Highland Junior College.  Shirley later graduated from Emporia State University with a master’s degree in English literature.  She returned to the area where she taught in Doniphan County schools, Sydney, Iowa, and Southeast Nebraska schools including Rulo until 1964.  In 1965, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she worked for the Environmental Protection Agency until 1996, when she retired and shortly thereafter, returned to Highland to make her home.

Shirley loved to raise a garden, especially digging in the dirt for her pretty flowers.

She married Robert C. Jones, August 23, 1956 before they divorced.  She married Nick Duran December 7, 1974 which also ended in divorce.

Survivors include her children:  Michael (Robin) Jones of rural Highland, daughter Teresa Price of White Cloud; grandchildren: Mike (Mindy) Jones, Caicey (Che) Jones, Sean (Nadia) Price; four nieces Michelle (Glenn) Wyatt, Valerie Coleman, Rhonda Roland, Leslie Coleman; four great-grandchildren:  Conner, Lexi, Lane, and Wyatt.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Lester, sister-in-law Helen and a niece, Ruth.

A Celebration of Shirley’s life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland.  Interment will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery, White Cloud.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Tuesday, where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com