Shirley Marrs Gilmore

Shirley Marrs Gilmore, age 80, formerly of Maple Acres, Green Valley, Princeton, West Virginia went to be with the Lord on November 10, 2015 at the Heritage Retirement Center, Tomball, Texas. She had been a resident of Texas for 3 years. Shirley was born December 21, 1934 to the late Bill Marrs and Ruby Crawford Marrs at Nemours, WV. Survivors are Son, Jack N. Gilmore II and his wife, Jenny, of Spring Texas. Grandchildren, Joshua, Jana, Justin, and Joy Gilmore of Spring, Texas; Step-grandchildren Aaron Gilmore of Portland, Oregon, and John Gilmore of Upland, California. Nieces are Angie Hawkins of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Georgia Carbaugh of Bluefield, Virginia, Sharon Gravely of Anchorage, Alaska and Lynn Chance of Charlotte, North Carolina. She had several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Jack N. Gilmore, brother William Lee Marrs and his wife Peggy, a stepson Robert A. Gilmore, Stepmother Tula Marrs, sister-in-law Elizabeth Buckland, brother-in-law Charles Gilmore and nephews Charlie Ray Newman and Clifton Marrs. Shirley was a devout Christian and served the Lord all her life. She was a member of Greenview United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years, and sang in the choir. She served as Outreach Leader and was co-President of the United Methodist Women. She was formerly a member of Ceres Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, and served as Bible School director, Youth Leader and sang in the choir. She was a graduate of Beaver High School, class of 1952. She had sales and secretarial training. She was retired from the Mercer County Board of Education after serving 24 years as Secretary at Central Junior, Bluefield and Bluefield Middle School. She continued to work as a substitute secretary for 15 years. Shirley was involved in volunteer community service for over 50 years. She began her club work at the Pocahontas Women's Club, moved to Green Valley and joined the Valley Women's Club. She served in every office and as President twice. She served every office of GFWC Southern District and GFWC West Virginia. She was GFWC state president of West Virginia during the 1988-1990 administration She served 5 years at GFWC Chairman of Libraries 2000, leading the organization to raise $13 million for libraries across the country. She was a lifetime member of GFWC West Virginia and an honorary member of the Valley Women's Club. She was made an honorary member of the Bluefield Jr. Women's Club. She was a former member of the Professional Secretaries International, Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, named citizen of the year by Green Valley-Glenwood Ruritans, served on the Board of Hugh O'Brian Leadership Youth Foundation and the Governor's Education Summit. She served as President of the WV Association of Parlimentarians and the Mount Laurel Unit of Bluefield Princeton. She taught parlimentary classes in the area for several years. She was featured in the outstanding young Women of America. When she moved to the Heritage Retirement Center in 2014, she became involved in decorating the facility. She assisted in rearranging furniture, hanging pictures, making wreaths for the doors and decorating different areas. She kept the area where she lived decorated seasonally for all to enjoy. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and had numerous friends whom she dearly loved. She brought much love, inspiration and joy to all she met. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. We will celebrate Shirley's life at Greenview United Methodist Church 600 Blue Prince Road Bluefield, WV 24701 (Green Valley) on Saturday December 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM with Pastors Rick Chester, Norman Arrington and Brent Brown officiating. Friends may call at the church prior to services on Saturday, from 10:00-11:00 AM. Contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to Greenview United Methodist Church 600 Blue Prince Road Bluefield, WV 24701