Shirley Jo Hastings Brown
August 26, 1950 ~ January 21, 2014
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Shirley Jo Hastings Brown, 63, of Fletcher, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center.
A native of Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late J.C. Hastings and Selma Short Hastings.
Shirley was the first female assistant District Attorney and Chief Prosecutor to serve Buncombe County. She later was elected as one of the first two female District Court Judges and served until her retirement in 2011. She had a passion for horses and was deeply devoted to her children and family.
She is survived by her husband, Richard "Rick" Sluder, Jr.; one daughter, Summer Sluder of the home; two sons, Cody Sluder and Kristopher Sluder, both of the home; three sisters, Linda Black and her husband, Cliff, of Nebo, Debbie Lechner of Asheville and Jan Hastings of Cherryville, NC; one brother, James Hastings and his wife, Karen, of Boone as well as several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Road, Asheville, with Dr. Ralph H. Sexton, Jr. and Reverend Sam McLamb officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:00-7:00 PM prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday at Clover Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cleveland County, NC.
For those who desire, memorial donations may be made in Shirley's memory to either the John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center c/o CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to Hope for Horses at www.hopeforhorses.org.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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My condolences to the family. Judge Brown was a fair and kind woman.
Sympathy is extended to all members of the family of Judge Brown. She was loved and respected by the members of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Van Duncan, Chief Deputy Don Reavis, and our Staff share in your losswhich is HEAVEN’S gain.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family,
When no one took time in court to listen she did. Thank you for my family. Heaven received an angel that was on earth she was always fair she will be missed
Our loss is Heavens gain. Judge Brown RIP.
My heart breaks for all my cousins who lost a kind sister and friend. She will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to Judge Brown’s family. She was an excellent judge and lovely person.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.May God comfort you in this time of sorrow.
I always respected Judge Brown and admired her commitment to serving the citizens of Buncombe County. I pray that God will comfort her family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Rick and your family. My deepest sympathy.
Dear Rick and sweet Debbie, I have SO many fond memories of Shirley. I am saddened by her passing but feel blessed to have shared many fun times with her. Please know if the weather does not permit me to travel home, I will be there in spirit. Your family is in my prayers. Kristen Johnson ( Newbern)
I knew her as a child and loved being at her home when we were young adults. Who knew Shirley would become such an intelligent and honorable part of our court systems. Linda, James,Debbie and Jan, may your hearts find peace remembering all the fun times you shared together. Love to all!
t’s very hard to bear the loss of someone so dear. And although there is little that one can say or do to take away all your pain, please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. May every loving memory be like the warming rays of sun which help to bring some comfort when the pain and sorrow comes. And may you continue to assure your heart that Shirley is safe in God’s memory. Malachi 3:16; Micah 4:4. May God grant you comfort and peace. With heartfelt condolences.
I may be in Roanoke, VA but please know that we are family and that I am here for you all. If the children wanna call and talk with someone they can call me, I gave them my number. I’ll be thinking of y’all.
Our Alzheimer’s family shares your grief. Rest assured our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was always impressed how Judge Brown ran her courtroom. You could actually hear the cases. She was very fair and professional. My sincere condolences to her family.
A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept our condolences, Judge Brown will never be forgotten –
Ed and I were so sorry to hear of Judge Brown’s passing. A real class act and good person that gave of herself in so many ways. May her legacy provide comfort in your time of loss. You are all in our prayers.
Ed and Susie Clontz
She will be deeply missed and my wife & I loved her dearly. She was a lovely woman and I enjoyed every moment that I worked with her.
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting her
when I was Cody’s teacher many years ago. Prayers going up for the family.
Shirley’s big heart blessed so many of us. She will be greatly missed.
Our family is so sorry to hear of Shirleys passing.We are praying for your family. May God give you grace in the days to come.
Shirley enriched all our
lives for many years. She will be profoundly missed.
I was so surprised and saddened to hear of Judge Brown’s passing. She was a tremendous judge, fair to the parties, and courteous and professional to the attorneys. I always felt that she cared deeply about reaching the best outcome for the children in the custody cases over which she presided. Sending her family prayers during this time of loss.