Sunrise: September 1, 1928 Sunset: March 15, 2018
Shirley Dietrich Boone was born September 1st, 1928 in Hattiesburg, MS to Dave C. Boone and Mary Lee Boone. She moved to San Francisco in 1942 and attended Girls’ High School. During this time, she met her high school sweetheart Raymond Lopez, Sr. at the Hamilton Teenage Center.
After graduating in 1947, Shirley worked at the Presidio in San Francisco as a secretary. Shirley and Raymond, Sr. married in 1950 and had a son Raymond Lopez, Jr. On the day following her 23rd birthday, Shirley was widowed when her husband, Raymond Sr. was killed in action during the Korean War.
Shirley met Ozell “Smitty” Smith at the Presidio in 1953 and soon married. They had a daughter, Shelita in 1958 and moved to Kensington, CA in 1964. Shirley worked as a real estate broker and then as secretary for the Berkeley Unified School District and retired in 1983.
Shirley enjoyed line dancing, listening to Zydeco music, and teaching others various hip-hop line dances such as the “Cupid Shuffle” and “Texas Hop”.
During her life Shirley traveled and enjoyed the sights of Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, St. Thomas, Mexico, and Panama.
Affectionately known as “Bahboo” to her family and friends, Shirley was preceded in death by husbands Raymond Lopez, Sr. and Ozell “Smitty” Smith, parents Mary “Bebe” Boone and Dave “Big Daddy” Boone, siblings Gaynell and David Boone. She leaves to cherish her memory: a son, Raymond Lopez, Jr. of Kensington, a daughter, Shelita Larteri of Modesto (Mark Karnes), a grandson, Frank Larteri III of Sunnyvale, step-grandchildren Shane Karnes of Mountain View and Marci Fruits of Citrus Heights, sisters Irma Allen of Vallejo and Lorean Anthony (Ronald Anthony) of Pinole, her cousin, Rouzelia Gayles of Hercules, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances.
Committal and interment will be private at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon. “Celebration of Life” open for friends and family is April 8, 2018 from 1-5 p.m. Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Avenue, Kensington, CA 94707.