Shirlene. She was born in a small town called Bonham, Texas, in 1945. Her mother, Ivory Teresa, married Corinthian Doss. They had five children with one on the way. She named her Shirlene. Their father was working at a service station, not making enough money to support his family. He discussed with her about going out to west Texas to look for a better job, and she agreed, not knowing that would be the last time she would see him.