Shirley Maxine Denham

April 5, 1945 - July 11, 2021

Shirley Maxine Denham, age 76, of Ottumwa, IA, entered into rest on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Shirley was born on March 5, 1945, to Everette and Myrtle (Ware) Jordan. She was married to Donald Christy and later to Ben Jacobs. On August 17, 1979, she married Larry Leroy Denham in Lancaster, MO. Shirley and Larry shared 20 years of marriage prior to Larry’s passing on March 3, 2000. Shirley was a homemaker, raising her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed going to garage sales and playing Bingo. She loved tenderloins from The Recovery Room and eating at the Riverside Family Restaurant. Shirley will always be remembered for helping anyone she could, her feisty attitude, and having the biggest heart in the world. She loved a lot in her time. Shirley is survived by her children, Tim (Penny) Jordan, Richard Christy, Ronnie (Jeff) Christy, Larry Leroy Jr. (Amber) Denham, Julie Arlene Denham, Walter Leon (Kami) Denham, Christopher Denham, and Timothy Jordan (Angel) Junior; 36 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Shirley has joined the following loved ones in Heaven in peace: her husband, Larry Leroy Denham; a son, Dwayne Jacobs; her parents, Everette and Myrtle Jordan; her siblings, Butch Jordan, Marie Smith, Sandra Breaklander, Louise Snelzimbalm, Robert Jordan, and Otis Jordan. Shirley was the longest living of her siblings and they are all reunited now. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Shirley’s family present to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Theresa Sparks officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. An open memorial has been established to the family.