Shirley Oliver Roach
Shirley Oliver Roach December 1, 2023
Shirley Oliver Roach, age 87, of Gordonsville, Virginia, went to be with our Lord on December 1, 2023.
Born on March 26, 1936, in Greene County, he was the son of the late Luther and Minnie Roach. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, whom he loved immensely, Mary Shiflett Roach; as well as three sisters; and six brothers.
Shirley had many jobs in his lifetime, ranging from construction to dairy farms, the IX Silk Mill, Panorama, and Liberty Fabrics of Gordonsville. He loved gardening, growing great crops of delicious tomatoes, and tinkering making toys for his grandsons out of recycled parts. He also loved hummingbirds and had flocks of them return to him every year.
He truly followed the Bible’s instruction that we should love one another. Shirley was a member of two Pentecostal churches and was a faithful Christian who always referred to the teachings of his father and mother. He was warm and kind, always ready with a smile. He had an easygoing attitude and a strong faith in our Lord, which allowed him to conquer many illnesses in his life. He was devoted and so proud of his grandsons, and he was always there for the events of their lives: baseball games, concerts and school events, which they will remember always.
Shirley is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Kirby and her husband William Kirby; two grandsons, his “little buddies,” Bryan Oliver Kirby and his girlfriend Shannon Wheeler, and Matthew Dylan Kirby; and brother, Johnie Roach and his wife Patsy.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Hospice of the Piedmont at https://hopva.org/donate-online-now/ or mailed to 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or to the American Cancer Society at Donate Today | The American Cancer Society or mailed to P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Holly Memorial Gardens in Charlottesville, Virginia.