Shirley Cleverdon Solms

Asheville - Shirley Cleverdon Solms, 87, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2003, following a short stay at Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher, where she was surrounded by the love of family, friends and caring staff. Shirley was born in Summerdale, Alabama on May 14, 1916, the oldest daughter of Dr. LeRoy G. Cleverdon, late pastor of First Baptist Church in Savannah, GA and past President of Judson College; and Edna Childress Cleverdon, his loving wife. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Major John G. Anderson, a U.S. Air Force pilot who was killed in World War II, and second husband, Anton F. Solms, Jr., prominent attorney in Savannah, Chatham County Attorney, Savannah Beach Judge and member of the University of Georgia Board of Regents; and her brother, LeRoy C. Cleverdon of Foley, AL. Shirley attended school in south Alabama, Judson College, Mars Hill College, Virginia Intermont and the University of North Carolina. She was a former member of Wesley Monumental Methodist Church and was employed in personnel with Southeastern Shipyards and Union Camp Corporation, and subsequently worked as a teacher and homemaker in Savannah prior to moving to Lake Junaluska in 1985. Shirley became widely known to the Junaluska community as a loving, generous hostess and long-term friend to conference attendees, member of The Junaluskans and fan of the Junaluska Singers. Her hospitality was characterized by a sign in her kitchen stating “There’s no place like home, except Shirley’s”. She was a giving and tireless member of Crabtree Methodist Church. She moved to Arbor Terrace in Asheville, in 2003 where she continued to greet her fellow residents with her cheery smile and warm embrace of friendship until being taken to Park Ridge Hospital for treatment of a broken hip. She is survived by her sister, Annie Beth Dodelin of Columbus, GA; her son, Gregg H. Solms and wife, Wendy of Asheville and grandchildren Jennifer and Julie of Chapel Hill, NC; her daughter, Angela S. Brannen and husband, Jim and grandchildren Ashley and David Brannen of Lawrenceville, GA and countless friends over the years. The family wishes to express sincere heartfelt thanks to the wonderful friends and caregivers from Savannah, Lake Junaluska, Crabtree Methodist Church, Arbor Terrace and Park Ridge Hospital for their incredible gentle, loving, Christ-centered care during Shirley’s lifetime. A family graveside service is planned at Marlow Cemetery in Marlow, Alabama for Saturday, October 25, 2003 under the direction of Pine Rest Funeral Home, to be followed by a celebration of Shirley’s life at Crabtree Methodist Church in the Crabtree Community of Haywood County on Saturday, November 1, 2003 at 12:00 noon, followed by a covered dish lunch on the grounds. Memorials, in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Shirley Solms Memorial Education Fund, P.O. Box 1204, Skyland, NC 28776.