Shirley Sheffield Stowitts

Shirley was born on November 4,1934 to the late Mary Blackwell Sheffield and George Golden Sheffield in Staunton, Virginia. Shirley’s family moved to Lancaster, PA and then to Orange, VA when she was in elementary school. She attended Orange High School where she was a cheerleader and voted Prom Queen her senior year. As a junior, she met the love of her life, Thomas Michael Stowitts, when he and his family moved to Orange in 1951. After graduation, Shirley attended Madison College (now James Madison University) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Tom attended VMI down the road in Lexington, Virginia where Shirley would often visit for special occasions. At Madison College, Shirley became a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and graduated with a two-year business degree.

Shirley married Tom in 1957 and moved to Roanoke Rapids, NC. They soon after moved to High Point, NC where they had two daughters, Linda and Perrior "Perri". Their family lived in High Point for 16 years before moving to Weldon, NC. Shirley and Tom were members of the Weldon United Methodist Church (until its closure) where Shirley held a range of leadership roles. She was often found helping out at the church throughout the week and playing the piano for Sunday Services. When Weldon UMC closed, she and Tom attended Rosemary United Methodist Church. Shirley developed many close friend relationships throughout her life. She spent countless hours catching up with everyone on the phone and checking in before bed. She maintained close ties with these friends until the end of her life.

In recent years, Shirley lived at Magnolia Glen in Raleigh, NC and was the unofficial dinner coordinator for her special friend group.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Thomas Michael Stowitts and her brother James Everette Sheffield.

Shirley is survived by daughters Linda Weeks (Charles) and Perri Anderson (Kevin); grandchildren Tyler Spencer (Blake), Garrett Anderson (Jane Claire), Nicole Weeks; great grandchildren Ruthie and Lottie Spencer; niece Anne Sheffield; nephew James Everette Sheffield, Jr.; and several close cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, March 6th at 2:30 pm at Magnolia Glen, 5301 Creedmoor Rd. Raleigh, NC 27612.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Transitions LifeCare: 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, is serving the Stowitts family.