Shirley Raphael

Shirley Raphael residing at Ashleigh at Lansdowne in Leesburg, VA passed away September 29, 2025. Shirley Raphael was born in Wilmington, NC on June 29, 1929, the daughter of the late Samuel and Ann Berger. She was preceded in death by her husband Justin Raphael and her sister, Frances Seidman of Aventura, Florida.

Shirley attended New Hanover High School where she was selected for the National Honor Society. After high school, Shirley attended Women’s College in Greensboro, NC.

Shirley and Justin Raphael were married on June 11, 1950. Shirley and Justin raised 4 Children and have 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Shirley was very active in the community and the family business. She was a member of B’nai Israel Synagogue was active in the American Association of University Women in the 1950s, active in Hadassah, B’nai Israel Sisterhood and a Member of the Battleship NC commission.

In 1950, Shirley and Justin Raphael entered a business with Sam and Ann Berger opening Alexander’s Dept Store at 118 Market St. In 1965, they opened Justin’s on Front Street and operated locations in Long Leaf Mall and Independence Mall until they retired in 1993.

Shirley Raphael is survived by Kent and his wife Kimberly, currently residing in Union, KY and have 2 sons, Byron and Bradley. Byron resides in Nashville, TN with his Wife Emily and their 2 children, Alice and Timmy. Bradley resides in Florence, KY with his wife Angie and their 2 children Justin (JP) and Scarlet. Heather and her husband Bill Apple of Leesburg, VA have 2 children, Jackie Meredith and Josh Jackie and her husband Sean reside in Ellicott City, Maryland and have twin girls Madden and Oakland. Josh Apple and his wife Ilana reside in Fairfax, VA. Scott Raphael resides in NYC with his wife Margaret. Laurie Bronstein and her husband Danny reside in Rockville, MD. Laurie has two sons, Louis and Jordan Wolff. Louis and his wife Justine reside in Washington, DC and Jordan in New York City. Marsha Seidman, daughter of Jack and Frances Seidman resides with her husband Frank Goldblatt in Boynton Beach, FL. Paula Seidman, youngest daughter of Jack and Frances Seidman preceded her parents passed away in 1996.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday October 3, 2025, at B’nai Israel Congregation, 2601 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28405 with Rabbi Chaya Bender officiating. Interment will follow in B’nai Israel Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Kent Raphael, Scott Raphael, Danny Bronstein, Bill Apple, Jeff Barnhill.

Honorary Pallbearers: Sean Meredith, Frank Goldblatt, Josh Apple, Jordan Wolff, Louis Wolff, Byron Raphael, Bradley Raphael, Gordon Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to B’nai Israel Synagogue or Local Hospice