JoAnne Coakley Shirley

JoAnne was born in Arlington, Virginia, to Warren Fairfax Coakley and Sherley Ann Thompson on October 30, 1946. She graduated from W. T. Woodson High School and James Madison University (formerly Madison College). She met her husband Brian at age 14 and they married on June 10, 1967, in Franconia, Virginia. They were married for almost 59 years. After her college graduation, JoAnne worked as a teacher for over 30 years. Many of those years were spent teaching 4th grade at Ladd Elementary School. Following retirement, she taught Weekday Religious Education at Stuarts Draft Elementary School, and later became the WRE State Coordinator. In her retirement years, she served on the boards at Appalachian Christian School and Love INC. JoAnne was a long time member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, Virginia, and later became a member of Church on the Hill in Fishersville, Virginia, where she loved teaching, worshiping, praying, and attending Bible studies with her dear friends. JoAnne loved spending time at her mountain home and beautifying her outdoor spaces with her favorite flowers. One of her favorite roles was being a grandmother, and she was lovingly called Grandma Jo by her grandchildren. She would often be found cheering loudly on the sidelines of their sporting events. JoAnne was a prayer warrior and believed deeply in the power of prayer and the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Her heart of love and compassion towards all those she met flowed from her deep understanding of God’s unconditional love. She set a beautiful example to all those around her of what it meant to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Through all of her life's ups and downs, her faith was unwavering. Her legacy of faith and love will live on for generations to come. JoAnne’s favorite Bible verses are found in Ephesians 3: 14-21. This was her prayer for all those she knew.

JoAnne is preceded in death by her father, Warren Coakley; mother, Sherley Sweatt Coakley; brother Daniel Coakley; mother-in-law, Thelma Shirley; and brother-in-law Glenn Shirley.

JoAnne is survived by her loving husband, Brian Shirley; her children, Tanner Shirley and his wife, Angela, of High Ridge, Missouri; Meade Shirley of Lyndhurst, Virginia; daughter Annie Morris and her husband, Eric, of Waynesboro, Virginia; and her nine grandchildren, Zachariah, Elijah, Elianna, Anna Grace, Meleah, Samuel, Caleb, Isaac, and Hope. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sharon Hicks and her husband Preston, of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Carol Mills and her husband, Robert, of Chincoteague, Virginia, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at Church on the Hill located at 100 Foursquare Lane in Fishersville, Virginia, on Sunday, April 19, at 4 pm with Pastor Andrew Williams, Pastor Brandon Williams, and Pastor Shane Lilly officiating. Those attending are asked to wear bright colors and may bring their favorite annual or perennial in her honor. These flowers will later be planted at JoAnne’s mountain home as well as shared among her family.

Memorials may be given in her honor to one of her favorite ministries. These include Weekday Religious Education, Love Inc., and Appalachian Christian School.

JoAnne’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Augusta Health who so lovingly cared for her during her cancer journey, along with friends and extended family for their love, support, and prayers. JoAnne took time to read every card and note she received, which gave her great comfort and encouragement.

Arrangements entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com