Shirley Joyce Eason

Our beautiful mother, grandmother and friend joined her heavenly family and the Lord for her next journey. “Grandma Pearly” as we all called her, peacefully passed away in her sleep December 28, 2024 at 91 years of age. She had tremendous compassion and a strong heart, but battled Alzheimer’s for the last few years of her life.

Shirley was born July 26, 1933 in Long Beach, California to Navy officer, Jesse Ridgway and his wife, Violet. She lived in China for the first few years of her life before moving to the Puget Sound in Olympia, Washington, where she grew up. Harvesting oysters and swimming in the sound were a few of her fondest memories there. She fell in love with her grade school sweetheart, Fred P. Eason and married him at age 19. They began their family shortly after. She was a dedicated wife, mom and homemaker, while her husband worked in the oyster beds and went to college. They moved to Portland, Oregon in 1956 so Fred could attend North Western School of Law, Lewis and Clark. After graduating from law school, they moved to Coos Bay where they lived and raised their family up Coos River. Shirley helped Fred with his law practice, planted a big garden and played in the river with her four children. She became interested in playing tennis and flying so she took lessons on both and flew solo so she could be Fred’s co-pilot.

In 1976, Shirley and Fred sold the law practice and the farm and bought a 56 foot sail boat and began sailing the South Pacific. She was fortunate to visit other cultures and meet friendly faces from all over. Each of their children spent some time joining them on this adventure. In 1980, Shirley and Fred made their way back to the west coast to be closer to their grown children and moored their boat in San Diego. Not too long after getting to San Diego, they sold the boat and bought a home where Shirley lived for 39 years. She became the registrar and librarian for Fred’s Law School he started “Western Sierra Law School.” She adapted quite nicely to San Diego weather, playing tennis, bike riding and boogie boarding at the beach. She traveled to Oregon often to visit her children and grandchildren. Sadly, she became widowed in 2000. Her perseverance and love of life and dancing led her to become actively involved in dance such as Parasol Strutters, Ballroom and Line dancing groups. She volunteered weekly at her church and belonged to a wonderful bible study group.

In 2019, Shirley moved back to Oregon to be around family, where she got to know and play with her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Ridgway; mother, Violet Strandberg; son, Alan Eason; husband, Fred P. Eason; sister, Missy Morrow and brother, Robert Ridgman. She is survived by her sister, Teresa Rancourt of San Point, Idaho; son, Mark Eason of Port Orford; son, Glen Eason and daughter-in-law, Kim Eason of Newport; daughter, Colleen Reeves and son-in-law, Jeff Reeves of North Bend; grandsons, Josh Reeves; Jared Reeves of North Bend; Dylan Eason of Toledo; Derek Eason of Corvallis; Marlino Eason of Port Orford; grand-daughter, Lindsay Reeves-Russell of North Bend; great-grandchildren, Haley Reeves; Hunter Reeves; Hayden Reeves; Preston Giles; Carson Russell; Landon Russell; Henley Reeves; Berkeley Reeves; Tru Reeves; Alya Eason and Zoey Eason.

Grandma Pearly will be missed dearly by all. Hats off to your wonderful life and remember your favorite quote “Dance like no one is watching.”

The family would like to thank mom’s caregivers at Inland Point and Almost Home. You were wonderful, supportive and loving to our mom, grandmother and friend. A private graveside service will be held at our family cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131 www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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