Virginia Shirley

Virginia Painter Shirley, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died peacefully at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband by her side on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the age of 85. Her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends.

Ginny Ann was born in Pearisburg, Virginia on December 5, 1938, the oldest of three daughters of Isaac Chapman Painter, Jr., and Fannie Mae Painter. She graduated from Pearisburg High School in 1956 and thereafter trained as a radiology technician. After marrying Henry G. Shirley on June 17, 1960 she and Henry and their family lived in Bermuda, West Germany, and various duty stations in the United States during Henry’s career in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force Henry and Ginny Ann moved to Virginia, and in 2002, moved to Raleigh to be closer to their children.

Ginny Ann is survived by Henry, her devoted husband of sixty-four years, four children, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren with two more due this summer:
daughter Cynthia Shirley of Loganville, GA;
son Graham Shirley, and his wife Kim of Apex, NC and children Sydney Reid, husband Robert, and grandchildren Graham and Winnie; Jefferson Stafford Shirley and wife Lauren who are expecting twins; son Hank Shirley and wife Kerstin of East Greensboro, NC and daughter Michaela Smith and husband Brian, and children Teagan, Kenan and Dean; and son Grant Shirley, wife Brenda and stepdaughter Monica Gibb and husband Ryan. Ginny Ann is also survived by her sister Linda Hammack and several nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her youngest sister Judy Baker.

In her younger years Ginny Ann enjoyed camping with her husband and children in the United States and traveling across Europe with the family when her husband was stationed in Germany. Once her children were grown, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren. She was a treasured travel companion for her husband, enjoying trips throughout the United States and abroad, often joined by her sister Linda and her husband Denny, as well as her cousins. Ginny Ann loved to cook and play bridge. She was an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, where she served on the kitchen staff for many years.
She will be missed by all, most of all by her family, for her love, laughter, and sense of humor.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 25 at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh, NC 27608, the Rev. Holly Gloff presiding.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 with the Shirley Scholarship in the memo line.