SALEM, Va. – Shirley Stiles Lord, 88, of Salem, Va., formerly of Bainbridge and Norwich passed away into the arms of our Heavenly Father on April 5, 2010.
Shirley graduated high school at Oxford Academy and Central School. She attended college at Morrisville in her later years. She lived on farms for the first 40 years of her life. She was in her early sixties when she first picked up a paint brush and a canvas and found her passion. She joined an art club and attended several programs where different artists would instruct participants in different media each week. She most recently had a one-woman art show at Ridgewood Gardens in Salem, Va.
Shirley was a member of several churches throughout the years, the latest being Bethel Baptist Church in Salem, Va. Besides many years of working on the family farm, Shirley also retired after working several years at the offices of Victory Markets, Norwich, in 1986. She was a past member of the Bainbridge-Afton Order of the Eastern Star. During the many years she was a member she held several positions including past Matron. Shirley will long be remembered for her caring and giving ways to her family, friends and sometimes even strangers. She was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed it, asking nothing in return.
She is survived by her sons, Theodore Lord, Smyrna, James (Kathy) Lord, Bainbridge and daughter Mary (Jon) Fenner, Wirtz, Va. Besides her grandchildren, Jamie (Randy) Gransbury, Kevin Lord, Jeremy Lord, Lydia (Philip) Gilbert and Casey Fenner, she is also survived by several great grandchildren, step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Marion (Wilcox) and Clifford Stiles and her brother and sister-in-law David and Marjorie Stiles.
Calling hours will be Monday, April 19 at 11 a.m. with the funeral service following at 12:00 at Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford with the Rev. Allen Lang officiating from the United Church of Oxford. There will be a luncheon immediately following the services at the Masonic Lodge, 27 Main St., Oxford.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of your choice.