Shirley Titla

Shirley Ann Titla was born on March 10, 1953 at San Carlos Hospital in San Carlos, Arizona. She was born to the late Sylvia Jones of Gilson Wash and Melvin Rustin, Sr. of Bylas. She was raised by the late Nancy Gustina. Nancy sent her to the Mormon Placement program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her foster parents were Ken and Ruby Hansen of Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Highland High School May 26, 1972. While she was in school she was involved in YW/MIA (Young Women/Mutual Improvement Association) sports program. Her team placed 2nd and they were Hillside State Basketball Champs in March 31, 1970. She received the MIA Joy Award and was entitled to the MIA Joy pin. She was also in the Fitness USA Jr. Merit A.A.H.P.E.R. She was employed with the San Carlos Apache Tribe as a payroll clerk, when the Tribe typed all their payroll checks on a typewriter. Afterwards she had her business in Bylas, the R & S Apache Market for 10 years and was a business woman for 20 years. Afterwards, she became a council woman for Bylas District. She wanted her people to be proud of her as she indicated when she was in Utah for school. When Nancy Gustina raised Shirley, she was raised with Marion Clendon, Kathy Goseyun, Glenda Mull, Darlene Longstreet, Ina Mae Preston, Rose Pike, Fernando Mull, and the late Franklin Cheney. When she was older, Shirley helped raise her siblings; Melvin Rustin Jr., Theodore Rustin, and the late Melva Jean Rustin. Shirley did not call them cousins, but her brothers and sisters, because of the close bond she shared with them all. Shirley married Randolph Titla Sr. whom she loved dearly. They were married in the Assembly of God Church. She penticastol and her dad and the late Nancy Gustina who raised her, was a minister at the Assembly of God Church. The family held two wedding anniversaries for my mom and dad, one for her 25th anniversary and the other took place two years ago to honor her marriage. She made sure we were fed, clothed and made sure we were always in school. She took her children on trips and had family day. Family day was each week on either Saturday or Sunday. As family, we ate, shopped, and watched movies together in Phoenix and travelled in the same vehicle. We had many good times together as a family. As children we helped her operate Shirley's business after school. Therefore, family day was meant to enjoy each other's company and relax. Shirley was full of love and taught her children to be independent. She gave hugs, loves and always told us how much she loved us. Shirley cared dearly for her best friend Connie Dosela and would check on each other daily. Her children and grandchildren are who they are because of the loving person Shirley was. The grandchildren were attached to her and wanted nothing more than to be with her always. Even though we lived next door, her grandchildren would take their beds to live at grandma's house. QUOTES - "Thank you, grandma, I am who I am because of you." - Shanae ~~ My mother touched many lives. ~~ Her middle name should have been "Joy." Shirley's last words - "I love you all." Services for Shirley will begin with a Wake at the Titla residence in Bylas on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The funeral services will be help on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Bylas followed by the interment in the Black Point Cemetery.