After just having celebrated her 90th birthday, Shirley Grace Outten Gregory joined her husband, Levin Melson Gregory, and her parents, Sinah Grace Marshall and Lloyd Augustus Outten, in heaven on Dec. 22, 2020. Shirley was also predeceased by her sister, Elsie Mae Daffin, and her brother, Lloyd Augustus Outten Jr. Shirley leaves behind four daughters: Martha Jo Trible (Robert), Mary Jane Cramer (Ross), Betty Lou Charnock (Brian), and Susan Leigh Dixon (Thom), along with 10 grandchildren: Christopher Morgan (Megan), Mary Margaret Meredith (Ryan), and Gregory Waring Trible; Sarah Elizabeth Coleman (Hayden) and Josh Cramer; Brian Tyler, Justin Gregory (Anne), and Shelby Rue Charnock; and Susanna Leigh Harrison (Jimmy) and Katherine Reeves Brownlee (Andy); and four most precious great-grandsons: Shawn, Connor, Merritt, and Hugh Thomas.
Shirley lived a most selfless life by giving of her love, time, and monetary support to her family and her church. She fondly reminisced about her days of dedication to teaching children’s Sunday School and Bible School at Craddockville Methodist Church, leading Brownie Scout groups, making costumes for school plays and Christmas pageants, and arranging countless birthday parties. Shirley’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she enjoyed attending the milestones in their lives. In her later years, she returned to her beloved Johnsons United Methodist Church, where she participated in Bible Study classes, helped with church bazaars (especially with her famous pepper relish), helped with church suppers (especially clam fritters), and played an active role in the United Methodist Women’s group.
Shirley loved Wilsonia Neck, where she came into the world and also where she departed it. She loved gazing at the sunsets and the green fields, and she found her home to be the perfect place to talk with God and to admire His handiwork. Her inner peace, optimism, and love for family and friends followed her to her final days as she gently and tenderly whispered her last goodbyes to her new great-grandsons, her daughters, and her grandchildren.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care Shirley received from her Intrepid Hospice nurses, Marie, Pat, Debbie, and Litisha, and her caregivers, Jenny Rose, Marge Kacik, Linda Guy, and Cheryl Powell.
A graveside service will be held Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at 2 p.m., at Belle Haven Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her lifelong, loving husband, Levin, with the Rev. Clarence Bowen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Johnsons United Methodist Church, c/o Marge Kacik, 12337 Trout Lane, Machipongo, VA 23405.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com