Shirley Hulver Pierce, 81, of Winchester, Virginia passed away Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center.
Mrs. Pierce was born in 1935 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Joseph F.T. Hulver, Sr. and Charlotte Wageley Hulver. She was a graduate of John Handley High School, Class of 1953. Shirley began her career with Winchester City Public Schools as a volunteer at Virginia Avenue Elementary School. She became an instructional aide at John Kerr Elementary School, where she worked until her retirement in 2000 with 30 years of service, but continued to volunteer at John Kerr Elementary School even after her retirement. Shirley was dedicated to whatever job she worked at, knowing all the children’s names in her 5th grade class and continued to hold them close to her heart. She maintained complete records for the teacher she was assisting and enjoyed helping with the annual school program. Shirley also volunteered at the Winchester Medical Center Gift Shop, where she would take great pride in keeping things organized; whether it be the candy shelves or the flower case she made certain all was replenished, straightened, and presentable for the public. She was a very hard working individual who could always be counted on to lend a hand wherever necessary. “Gran” was endlessly devoted to her late husband, Bob, children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Pierce was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Winchester where she taught Sunday school and also a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Shenandoah Region.
Her high school sweetheart and husband, Robert “Bob” Pierce, whom she married on January 9, 1955 in Winchester, Virginia preceded her in death on September 14, 2014.
Surviving are daughters, Karen Anderson (Fred) of Winchester, Virginia and Kelly Wilkins (Ronald) of Stephens City, Virginia; son Michael Todd Pierce (Abbe) of Stephens City, Virginia; grandchildren, Lisa Pierce Cross (Jim), Emily Jo Myers (Joshua), and David Joseph Wilkins; great grandchildren, Claire Riley Cross and Ivan Robert Cross; brother, Joseph F.T. Hulver, Jr. (Nancy) of Winchester, Virginia; sister-in-law, Yvonne Butler Woody as well as many lifelong friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Celebrant Joseph R. Dilleree officiating. A reception will follow the service at Omps Funeral Home Reception Center, Amherst Chapel. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia or Esther Boyd Animal Shelter, 161 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, Virginia 22603 or Winchester SPCA, 115 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, Virginia 22601.