Shirley Martha Bailey Sluder
August 19, 1934 ~ February 15, 2020
Born in:
Yancey Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Shirley Bailey Sluder went home to be with the Lord, with her daughter and granddaughter by her side, on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at home following a hard fought battle with dementia.
Shirley was born in 1934 in Yancey County. She was raised and lived in Buncombe County from the age of six months. She was the daughter of the late John Bis and Dessie Worley Bailey. Shirley was preceded in death by the love of her life whom she married in 1955, D.R. Sluder, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Jake Bailey; sisters, Mildred Bailey Ball and Peggy Bailey Rash; nephews, David Rash and Jake Bailey, Jr.; and a great-nephew, Jonathan Lankton.
Shirley graduated from West Buncombe High School in 1952. She then attended Mission School of Nursing, where she graduated and received her nursing degree in 1955. Shirley retired from Mission Hospital in 1997, after 28 years of service. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, grandmother and a caring nurse for countless people.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Sheila Fletcher and her husband Chris; a granddaughter, Rebecca; a brother Jack Bailey and his wife Martha of Lakewood, CA; a son, Dennis and his wife Christine of Gilbert, AZ; 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, all residing in AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to wish a very special thank you to her daughter, Sheila Fletcher, for her dedicated and loving care of Shirley; Sheila’s husband, Chris, and to her daughter, Rebecca for putting their lives on hold for over the past 2 years to take care of Mom. We would also like to thank Laura Turner for her unwavering service to Mom; CarePartners Hospice for their compassion and care to Shirley and her family.
The family requests that you share a memory of Shirley. If you would like to share, there will be an opportunity to do so during the service. Otherwise, please write a memory and place it in a basket that will be at the entrance.
The service for Mrs. Sluder will be February 20, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service at Groce Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Alexander.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Mountain Care Music Therapy at 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803; or to Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Becky Ponder, 15 Harback Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787.
Services
Funeral Service: February 20, 2020 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Visitation: February 20, 2020 1:00 pm - April 19, 2024 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Burial:
Mountain View FW Baptist Church Cemetery
Alexander Road
Alexander, NC 28701
828-252-3535
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What wonderful memories I have of sweet Shirley as we worked together in the OR of Memorial Mission hospital back in the good days of the NOT FOR PROFIT workplace. We all looked up to her in the leadership role she took on when no one else would do it. I love you Shirley.
F
Both of us were honored to have known Shirley. She had the best laugh and could light up the worst of days. Everyone that has worked a stressful job should be lucky enough to have a Shirley to release the tension.
Shirley was my first charge nurse so many years ago. Mission was a great place to work and I got my dream job working in the OR. 31 years later I’m still there and long for the days of long ago when Shirley was in charge. Her sense of humor, her tough yet caring exterior, her ability to be bribed with chocolate, her smile and laugh. She was a special lady and friend. Rest In Peace Shirley. You are loved and missed.
Dennis, Sheila & Family,
I am saddened to know your mom has passed. She was always a joy to talk with at Mission and in later years when we talked on the phone. I’d call her occasionally and catch up on how she was doing and the rest of the family too. We had interesting conversations. I send my deepest condolences to you with my prayers.
LORD Shirley those WERE the Best days of my younger career! Your Laugh and bright eyes made coming to work worthwhile……. Thanks for the memories!!
To Shirley’s family,
You have our deepest sympathy in your loss. Cherish your memories and remember her as she was before the dementia took over. Now she is in a place where she will be with her family and friends that have gone on before her and in a place where she will have a new body and is free of dementia. Again our condolences to Shirley’s family.
Shirley was one of my mom Linda Woody’s best friends and co-workers. We shared many fun times at Kiawah Island. Shirley always had a twinkle in her eye and a great sense of humor. I loved being around her and will treasure all the precious memories we made together over the years. She will truly be missed.
We loved going to Silver Sneakers together at Gold’s Gym and having good conversations before doing chair yoga with Eliza! Shirley was always friendly and glad to see us. Our condolences to the family.
We always enjoyed seeing Shirley when we went to Silver Sneakers classes at Gold’s Gym. She was always friendly and nice to talk to. Our condolences to the family.
Truly a cherished one in all of her friends, family, and co-workers that knew Shirley. I had the honor of working in the OR, and under her guidance until her retirement. She was well respected in her field, by staff as well as physicians. Never ask of anyone to do a task that she would or did not do herself. Her infectious laughter set her aside from the rest, I will remember that most of her. She was a inspiration to many.
Gone but never forgotten, love you Shirley…
I worked with Shirley in the operating room in 1959. She was very helpful to a new graduate at Memorial Mission.i will always remember her as an excellent nurse and friend.My thoughts and prayers are with you .
I worked with Shirley in the OR many years ago. A wonderful co-worker, boss and friend. Many good times at Kiawah Island. She will be missed. My sympathies to all her family. Love you Shirley.
So saddened to here about the loss of Shirley. She was a wonderful neighbor and will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love her. Her work at mission should be the gold standard of how to care for patients. We would talk over the fence when i would take Jake for a walk when i was at moms and dads and talk shop after she retired.She will be missed by everone who knew her.
Carolyn Ratcliff Harris
I am truly sorry to hear of the great loss you have suffered. Please accept my condolences and may our Lord bless and comfort you during this time of grief.
To Shirley’s Family,
I was so heart broken to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was such a joy to be around. She was loved by all and was one of Mom’s dearest friends. Now they are together, what a reunion that will be. May the Lord bless and comfort you during this difficult time. My love to all of you.