On June 12, 2018, Shirley S. Marker won her battle against cancer as she gained complete healing and met her Savior face to face in Heaven. Shirley’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has sustained her through a 25-year cancer battle and difficult life circumstances. Her legacy of serving people through hospitality, speaking direct truth, and showing merciful love has not only impacted her family, but her community, as well. Born in a Keysville, Virginia farmhouse as one of 6 children, Shirley grew up loving God’s Word, cooking, and most of all - her family. After working in the textile industry, she then served others as a nurse at Centra Southside Memorial Hospital until her 1993 cancer diagnosis. She surrendered her life to the Lord in 1974 and was baptized at Tussekiah Baptist Church. While she struggled to breathe in the flesh, the Word of God was her spiritual, life-giving oxygen. She found her church home at Kenbridge Christian Church, an alive and healthy body of Christ, where she grew and often brought friends and family with her to hear God’s Word. Daily, Shirley relied on the Lord as her strength, reciting Philippians 4:13 as her life verse: “I can do all things through Christ which stregtheneth me.”

Shirley is survived by her dedicated husband, William H. Marker; three loving daughters: Nancy M. Long of Victoria, Goldie M. Oakes of Lynchburg, and Terry L. Dalton (David) of Victoria; 6 grandchildren: John Long (Sarah), Robin Marshall (Curtis), Matthew Oakes, Rebecca Campbell (Jason), Sean Dalton, and Kaelyn Williams (Forrest); 10 great-grandchildren: Alaura Long, Elyssa Long, Daelyn Long, Bryan Long, Rhiley Marshall, Constance Marshall, Charleigh Wright, Lileigh Wright, Jayden Williams, and Alayna Williams; and 1 great-great grandchild, Layton Fix. Shirley’s surviving siblings include Ronnie Shook of Bowling Green, Virginia and Curtis Shook of Dacula, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ira G. Long, and her grandson, Jamie D. Long.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Kenbridge Christian Church. A private burial will be held for family only at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Victoria Fire & Rescue or the Lunenburg Health Service. Staples Funeral Home, Victoria, in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.staplesfh.com