Shirley Poston Alper

Died Friday, December 23, 2011 at the Virginia Hospital Center from a brief illness at age 87.

She was born January 27, 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama. Her family included her parents James and Eula, and two sisters Marilyn and Marjory. Shirley spent her childhood moving across the country and lived in 23 states. Her grandparents King and Rebecca Poston owned and farmed Sully Plantation in Fairfax, Virginia for 18 years. Shirley's parents eventually took over the property until it was purchased by the Fairfax Government to become an historical site.

She received her education at Virginia Intermont College, Yale University and American University, and became a talented artist. In the late 1940s, she was employed at National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Shirley assisted the renowned Dr. George Papanikolaou in the intricate drawings and illustrations of cancer cells. He presented them to the American Medical Association (AMA) on the validity of "pap smears" for women.

She continued her career in the 1960s and 1970s as a graphic illustrator working in the Navy Department at the Pentagon.

Known as "Dollbaby" to her family and close friends, she had three children, Linda, John and Richard; nine grandchildren, Lindsey, Laura, Catherine, Meg, Jason, Rick, James, Clare and Addie; and four great-grandchildren, Sierra, Gabriella, Hayley and Bradley.

During her later years, she maintained her love of art, politics, world traveling, and most importantly, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and faith in God.

Friends may call at Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St. (Rt. 7), Falls Church, VA from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 29. A service will be held on Friday, December 30, 11 a.m., at Walker Chapel United Methodist Church, 4102 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA. Interment National Memorial Park Cemetery.