Shirley Brown Rector

Shirley Brown Rector, 81, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Keever Solace Center.

Shirley was born April 13, 1940 in Madison County to the late Walter and Essie Rice Brown. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Seldon and Walter, and a sister LaVonda, daughter Lavonda Rector Rickman, and son in law Ronnie Brown.

Shirley attended Marshall High School and obtained her GED in 1967 from AB Tech College. She was employed by the Buncombe County System as a school bus driver and teacher’s assistant for Special Education, and retired after 34 years. After retirement, she and Hermon enjoyed traveling and seeing many of the beautiful sights of North Carolina and surrounding states.

Shirley had many interests but the things she loved most was her family and time spent with them laughing, eating, and making happy memories. She spent many happy hours in her flower gardens. She loved taking and showing pictures of her flowers and bushes. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, baking and crocheting. She loved creating many beautiful quilts. The quilting projects that included making a quilt for each of her grandchildren and for many of the great grandchildren. She took special joy in reciting the names and birthdays of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly, keeping photos of all of them on the wall for everyone to see. She crocheted many afghans that she donated to many good causes.

Shirley was a member of the Praise and Prayer Sunday School class at West Asheville Baptist Church where she was a member.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Hermon H. Rector, Sr.; daughters, Sharon R. Brookshire (David), Regina R. Brown, Tina V. Rector, Susan R. Dove, and Marina R. Morey; son, Hermon H. Rector, Jr. (Selina); sister, Betty B. Blankenship (Jim); and several cousins. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and former son-in-law, Walter Dove.

Many thanks to the staff at Keever Solace for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Shirley and the kindness and support they provided to the family.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Flowers are appreciated, but if you would like to send a memorial to West Asheville Baptist Building Fund or to the Broy-Hill Children’s Home or a charity of your choice, that would be appreciated also.