November 18, 1919 - November 24, 2015

Virginia Ruth Shirley, 96, of DeRidder went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 24, 2015.  She was born on November 18, 1919, in Klemme, Iowa, to Paul and Maude Stille.

At the age of 13, the family moved to DeRidder where they operated Pleasant Hill Grocery for many years.  She graduated from DeRidder High School in 1937, and in 1941 married Claudie (C.H.) Shirley.  She first worked at Shirley Chevrolet and later became secretary at DeRidder Junior High where she served for 20 years before her retirement.  She also retired as a bus driver for the Beauregard Parish School Board.

During her adult life her love of music gave her many opportunities to serve as church pianist or organist.  She played for many years at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and then later at Beckwith Baptist as well as Memorial Baptist.

She was preceded in death by Claudie, her husband of 50 years, and an infant daughter, Tanya Kay; her parents, Paul and Maude Stille; sisters, Miriam Bowen of Stonewall and Barbara Kinney of DeRidder; and a very special aunt, Irene (Toots) Davis of DeRidder.

Left to survive her are two sons; Terry and wife Carolyn (Dees) Shirley of DeRidder, and Paul and wife Pat (Cooper) Shirley of DeRidder.  Also surviving “Nana” are 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren: Cammie Lockhart, husband Gary, and daughters, Haley and Heidi of DeRidder; Chad Shirley, wife Paige (Nelson), and daughters, Claudia and Callie of Kingwood, TX; David Shirley and wife Alison (Cooley), and children, Dustin, Deacon, and Lilly of DeRidder; Christy Nettles, husband Kevin, and sons, Cade and Cole of Stonewall, LA; and Jon Shirley of Moss Bluff, LA.

Visitation and Funeral service will be held at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder on Friday, November 27, 2015.  Visitation will begin at 10:00am until time of service at 2:00pm.  Rev. Jerry Johnson will officiate.  Her grandsons will be serving as pall bearers.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in DeRidder.

The family wishes to express thanks to Westwood Manor administration and staff for their care during these last 4 ½ years.  We also want to express our gratitude to those “special” friends who
made their faithful visits during this time.