Iris Jean Owensby was born on Monday, March 20, 1933, in Freedom, Oklahoma, to Florence Lucille (Long) and Cecil Floyd “Swede” Bickford. She passed away on May 1, 2025, at the age of 92 years, 1 month, and 11 days.
Iris was happily raised in Freedom, Oklahoma. Iris recalled many childhood memories that included traveling alone at age 12 to Lamar, Colorado, walking alongside the very first family car every time her Grandmother believed that the road’s incline was too steep, and proudly watching her dad, “Swede,” play catcher in the local baseball league on Sundays. Iris proudly recollected her Dad’s (who played catcher) sign on the back of his jersey that displayed the forewarning to the other team: “Thou shalt not steal,” as her Dad was well-known for throwing out base runners from a crouching position.
In 1951, Iris graduated from the Freedom school system. She ended her senior year early on April 4, 1951, to marry Walter Riley “Buster” Shaull Jr. Together, Iris and Buster had four beautiful children: Deb, Vicky, Riley, and Randy. Iris and Buster raised their children in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Throughout the years, Iris selflessly held many jobs, which included owning her own hair salon, working in the journalism department at NOC, instructing at a Cosmetology school in OKC, selling Mary Kay products (and she held a Mary Kay license at the time of her passing), earning an Associate degree from NOC, and finishing up by working at JCPenney until she was 80. At JCPenney, she met her dear friend Ruth Clayton, who always provided her with wonderful companionship, family, and pure enjoyment of a life well-lived.
After her four children were grown, Iris moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1980. There, she was closer to her daughter, Vicky, and her husband, JR, who always provided her with great security and assistance as she transitioned to the larger “city life.”
Iris eventually moved to Oklahoma City after she married Jim Owensby in 1993. Her grandchildren referred to this home as “Straka Terrace.” Iris’s home was not always what one would imagine—it was even better. With pictures of her family on the fridge, a famous Coca-Cola cake in the oven, and the Game Show Network in the background, Iris always found a way to make every visitor feel loved and special at her house.
In 2020, Iris moved to Norman, Oklahoma, home of her beloved Sooners, where her son, Riley, and his wife, Leslie, lived. On Sundays, Iris enjoyed attending First Christian Church of Moore with Riley and Leslie. This is where she met pastor Shannon Grubbs, with whom she ultimately entered into a “never-to-be-re-negotiated deal” to perform this service.
As Iris moved through life, she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children - her celebrations with Vicky & JR at Lake Texoma were always a highlight, and enjoying Kelli & James during Cash’s school and outdoor activities were energizing. Her trips to Ponca City to enjoy bar-b-que grills (on a handmade grill by Kerry, no less) with Deb & Kerry brought smiles. Certainly, all the OU sporting events with Riley & Leslie, with special emphasis on OU Women’s basketball games, were a primary highlight of her life. Finally, Iris loved her trips to see her “South Dakota crew,” as she called Randy & Mari’s family, and often traveled there during Red River Rivalry weekends.
Iris peacefully left this Earth as she wished - surrounded by family, friends, countless prayers, and infinite love.
Iris was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Florence Bickford; the Father of her four children, Buster Shaull; her second husband, Jim Owensby; her daughter, Vicky Ford; her sister, Wanda Hackney; her brother, Bud Bickford; her granddaughter, Holly Jan Redmond; her son-in-law, J.R. Ford; and her son-in-law, Kerry Redmond.
Iris is survived by her daughter, Deb Redmond, of Ponca City; her son, Riley Shaull, and his wife, Leslie, of Norman; her son, Randy Shaull, and his wife, Mari, of Sioux Falls, SD; her grandchildren: Chris Swenson, Corey Swenson, Kristy Shadid (Amiel), Leslie Eicher, Chad Ford, Kelli Ford (James), Casey Mankin (Jill), Brandi Shaull, Lance Shaull, and Connor Shaull (Hailey) as well as her precious 23 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Celebration of life will be held at First Christian Church in Moore, OK at 1:30 pm on Thursday, May 15th, 2025.
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