Shirley Ewers Pendleton

Shirley Ewers Pendleton, 88, of Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020 with her family at her side. Shirley was born to Willie and Myrtle Wood Ewers in Madison Heights, VA and graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1950. She graduated from Virginia Commercial College in Lynchburg in 1952. At her first position with Household Finance in Lynchburg, she met her future husband Donald Grey Pendleton to whom she was married for 41 years. She went on to serve as assistant to the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia as her husband completed his law degree and prior to helping him establish his law practice in Amherst, VA. She then managed their household and opened her home to friends, family and neighbors, who enjoyed her hospitality for decades. She was steadfastly at her husband’s side through his career in Virginia politics as the pair met governors, senators, presidents and the Queen of England during the 1976 Bicentennial. In 2015 Shirley moved to Westminster Canterbury where she met many new friends and, as she said, “lived the life of Riley.”

Shirley was a founding member, past president and honorary member emerita of the Amherst Woman’s Club, a past director of the Amherst County Humane Society and a faithful and long-term member of Amherst Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter Susan Gayle Pendleton and special cousins Barbara Wilkerson Furr and Marlene Wilkerson Nash. She is survived by her son Donald Grey Pendleton, Jr. of Lynchburg, her brother Robert Earl “Buddy” Ewers and his wife Shirley Riley Ewers of Chesapeake, VA, sister-in-law Joyce Bryant Pendleton of Madison Heights, VA, a host of nieces and nephews and nephews, plus her four-legged companion, Kodi.

Shirley’s often expressed concern was for those that couldn’t help themselves, most particularly, the very young, the very old and animals. For memorial contributions please consider the Lynchburg or Amherst County Humane Societies, Humankind and the Adult Care center of Central Virginia.

Shirley’s family wishes to thank and commend the Westminster Canterbury staff for the professional and compassionate care they showed her in her final days.

Given current public health concerns a memorial service may be held at a later date.