Frances West Shields

Frances Ann West Shields passed into enteral peace on January 19, 2023 in Merritt Island, Florida. She was born on May 8, 1945 in Eutawville, South Carolina to Dwight Ellison West, Sr. and Ruth Corine Rush West.

The West family, a close knit family with seven children, moved from South Carolina to Florida during Fran’s childhood. Fran married John Edward Shields on July 21, 1961. They lived in Brevard County for the rest of their lives.

Fran was a loving daughter, sister, wife and mother. She volunteered as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, organizing camping trips for her troop and other activities to earn badges. She and Johnny were involved in Little League Baseball when her son was in the league. She supported both her children in their study of karate for many years. Once a grandmother, she spent much time with her grandsons in their extracurricular activities. She enjoyed traveling – either through work or with her siblings, bargain hunting at garage sales, and competitive card games.

Fran worked most of her professional career for Credit Data Services, working her way up from clerical duties to a management position. Her work gave her great personal satisfaction and the opportunity for her and her husband to travel internationally.

She believed in the value of a education and learning. She had left school to get married; however, she later studied at night to earn her GED, and she enrolled in Brevard Community College to grow her career and improve herself. She encouraged both her children to pursue educational degrees.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina Denise Shields, of Aberdeen, New Jersey; and her son, John Edward Shields, Jr., of Rockledge, Florida; one brother, Franklin Earl West, Sr., of Lake City, Florida; one sister, Jerrilyn Corine West Shackleford of Burgaw, North Carolina; along with four grandchildren, Drew Ellison Shiner, Eve Arielle Schroeder, Garrett Reed Shields, and Clay Austin Shields, and one great grandchild, Jaxon Schroeder.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 57 years in 2019, one brother, Dwight Ellison West, Jr., and sisters, Dorothea Alberta Griffin Vogt, Jacquelyn Griffin Rourk, and Peggy Leigh West Ellis.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday February 4, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida. A Memorial Service will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.