Shirley Brown Rector

shirley rector

April 13, 1940 ~ November 28, 2021

Born in: Madison Co., NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

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.

Services

Visitation: December 1, 2021 12:30 pm - December 9, 2024 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Funeral Service: December 1, 2021 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Burial: December 1, 2021 3:00 pm

Green Hills Cemetery
25 New Leicester Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-9831

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  1. Dear Rector Family. I am so sorry for your loss. What a lovely lady. She will be missed as West Asheville Baptist Church. God bless and comfort each of you.

  2. Jerry and I would like All of are in our prayers. Your family was very close and would do anything for each’ other.
    your mother all would tell us what all she did for all of you she was a great person

  3. Hermon, I just found out about this last night at Calvery in Bible study. I am so sorry for your loss of such a sweet wife. May God bless and hold you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

  4. Shirley was a sweet and wonderful colleague. I remember many great times at Herring School. This is such a sad time for family here at the Holiday Season to lose a cherished family member. Shirley is in a place now for a glorious celebration! I can only imagine the look of wonderment on her face in heaven as Christmas is celebrated up there! She has come home. I wouldn’t doubt she has one of her famous pound cakes in hand too! (I have one of her recipes she shared). Herman, know she is in your heart forever and she will see you once again. My heartfelt condolences to all your family.
    “The loss is unmeasurable but so is the love left behind.” –Author Unknown

  5. My friends, Shirley will be missed and remembered. She was a strong and compassionate woman. Love and sympathy to you all.

  6. Sorry for the loss of your mom. Not easy losing a parent. Prayers for Herman and the family in the days ahead.

  7. Herman, Vicki and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Shirley. Having known your family for many years I can say with certainty that Shirley was a Wonderful Christian Woman. In her earlier years I saw her many, many times interacting with the kids she drove on her bus and at various school events. Seemed that each of those children were “her” children. Though you will miss her terribly, know that she is now in the presence of our Lord and in a much better environment than here. I know she awaits your arrival.

  8. Candace, We are so sorry you lost your beloved grandmother. We know how special she is to you and how much you will miss her. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

  9. I’m s Io sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. We shared many great times together. I will keep your family in my prayers.

  10. So very sad to hear of Shirley’s passing. I worked with her at Lucy Herring School and have many memories of our time there. She taught me how to crochet. I remember her black hair and her love of the kids there and her love of her family. She talked nonstop about her children everyday and I felt like I knew her family. I know she was loved and will be missed terribly but now she rests with her Lord, whom she loved, awaiting the families arrival.

  11. Regina, Tina and whole family I’m so sorry for the passing of your dear Mother. I remember her and your Dad well. Know that all of you are being lifted up in prayer. Just try to find comfort that she is with our precious Lord. Love you very much. God bless you.

  12. To my precious Mom. Thank you for all the great memories of our childhood. You were always a great example of what the word Mother means. We had to let you go for you to be well again.
    We will see you again.
    I love you,
    Susie


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