Shirley Patterson Sandidge

Shirley Patterson Sandidge, 77, of Madison Heights, Virginia passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2019. She was the loving wife of 56 years to William Marshall Sandidge of Pedlar Mills, Virginia. Born November 7th, 1941 in Madison Heights, she was the daughter of the late Herman Lee Patterson and Margaret Beard Patterson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Herman (Pat) Lee Patterson Jr. and a sister, Doris Patterson Bryant. Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved all of her Bowie and Heidelberg kids. Our home was a second home for them and she made them all feel loved and accepted. She was a second mom to many and a first mom to some. She had a great sense of humor and her smile lit up a room. She made all those around her feel loved. She traveled all over the world and was a great Army wife and mother. As an Army wife, her husband Will appreciated her unwavering support and love. He always gave her credit for raising the kids when he was deployed. She lived in Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Maryland, Kansas, California and Heidelberg Germany. Shirley has treasured friends from Japan, Germany, Norway and throughout the United States. She leaves to cherish her memory three children, Mary Beth Duffy (Brian) of Forest, Karen Amato (Peter) of Lynchburg, William M. Sandidge Jr. (Amy) of Goode; six grandchildren, Brent Amato, Colton Amato, Noelle Amato, Hunter Sandidge, Ciera Sandidge, Autumn Sandidge; two great grandchildren, Taylor Weschke Amato, Jayden McDowell; two sisters, Geraldine Hensley (Marvin), Hazel Mays; one very special cousin, Patsy Leftwich; many nieces and nephews; foreign exchange children & grandchildren Miyuki, Shiho, Mia and Maren. We would like to thank the nurses of UVA Dialysis Center, Dr. Subhasish Bose, Dr. Dan Smith and the nurses at MICU, Lynchburg General Hospital. We will be forever grateful for the love and care you gave her. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be conducted at 11 am on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Madison Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Todd Blake & Rev. Tim Madison officiating. Interment will follow at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Monroe. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8pm on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Whitten Monelison Chapel, Madison Heights. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to Monelison Rescue Squad or Madison Heights Baptist Church. Whitten Funeral & Cremation, Monelison Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared at www.whittenmonelison.com.