Darlene Gillian Shirley

Darlene Ann Gillian Shirley, 61 of 2230 N Fayetteville St, Asheboro, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, February 9, 2017 shortly after arriving at Hospice House of Asheboro after a brief illness, during which she was cared for by her son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Michele Ridgeway. The family will receive friends 2:00-4:00 Saturday at Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro, Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Sunday at Freedom Baptist Church, where she was a member, with Pastor Rick Byerly officiating. She was a native of Maryland, a graduate of Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida and earned a Masters Degree in Education from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was employed as a teacher of Exceptional Children at Southmont Elementary School, and had previously worked at Klaussner Furniture before returning to school to obtain her degree. She was also formerly employed as a Hostess at America's Roadhouse. Since accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, Darlene committed her life to being a stalwart witness to others, and in her short struggle with cancer, Darlene's greatest desire was to be the witness Christ wanted her to be. Darlene has touched many lives and will be remembered with love and appreciation for all she did for others. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Walter Lindsey Shirley. Surviving are son, Thomas Ridgeway and wife, Michele, of Asheboro; daughter, Ashley Shirley of Colorado Springs, Colorado, grandchildren Colleen Ridgeway and Jackson Ridgeway of Asheboro, and Sebastian Van Hoesen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Steve Gillian of Glen Burnie, Maryland, half-sister, Laura Christie of Austin, Texas, and special cousins, Vicki Johnston and Frank Cataldi of Glen Burnie, Maryland. Memorials may be made to Missions Fund, Freedom Baptist Church, 2078 North Asheboro School Rd, Asheboro NC 27203.