Shirley Jeanne Carmack passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, October 27, 2022. She recently
celebrated her 92nd birthday where she visited with many and had a wonderful day.
She was the oldest of five children born to Gene and Tursell Larsen. Next is her close friend and sister, Flora Patterson
Erekson (Frank, Alma). She has three wonderful brothers, Bill (died in 2001), Wayne (Elena), and Doug (Julie).
Shirley was a devoted and loving mother to her four children, Richard (Laura), David (Becci), Donna (Randy), and Doug.
She had 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren scattered across the country.
Shirley was born in Utah. Shortly after her birth, she moved with her parents to Indiana where her dad finished
graduate school. His first (and last) job was with Dupont in Waynesboro, Virginia. Shirley was almost five when they
moved to Waynesboro. The family put down roots and stayed. After elementary school, she graduated from
Waynesboro High School in 1948.
After high school, Shirley attended and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary
Education. After teaching for a year in Utah, Shirley and two friends decided they needed an adventure. They all got
jobs and moved to beautiful Santa Barbara. While teaching there, Shirley met her future husband, Cecil
Carmack. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1954.
Cecil was required to serve in the military for a mandatory two years due to the Korean War. They were stationed in
San Antonio first and then at Fort Lewis Washington (near Tacoma). Richard and David were born at Fort Lewis.
After being honorably discharged, Cecil and Shirley returned to Santa Barbara where Cecil worked for about four years
as a pharmacist. They then decided that Cecil would attend UCLA for graduate studies in Biochemistry. Donna and
Doug were born in Los Angeles.
Cecil and Shirley separated and later divorced. Shirley and the children moved to Virginia in 1967. She was 37 years
old. She lived the rest of her life (55 years) in Fishersville. Neither Cecil or Shirley ever remarried. They remained
friends, and Shirley will be buried in Augusta Memorial Park next to Cecil.
Shirley returned to teaching after the move back to Virginia. She first taught at Wayne Hills Upper Elementary and then
for the rest of her career at Berkley Glenn Elementary. She was a devoted and valued teacher. Many former students
have told her how much they enjoyed her class.
With the help of many, including her parents Gene and Tursell, she successfully raised four children. After her divorce,
Shirley devoted her entire life to us children. She loved, cared for, and supported us to her last breath.
Shirley was a lifelong, devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jesus Christ was her
example and foundation.
Shirley definitely had the “gift of gab” and would talk with anyone. She asked questions and was interested in
others. She had so many wonderful friends who brightened her life.
Shirley liked to shop for clothes bargains. Even when she was in a wheelchair, she would push herself around,
touching and looking. Everyone who knew her was aware she never met a chocolate she didn’t like!
Shirley was famous for her “Shirley Carmack Original” homemade cards for all occasions. They were done with tender
loving care.
Shirley’s funeral will be at the Waynesboro Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday
November 5. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 AM and the funeral will follow at 11:00 AM. The address is 2825
Jefferson Lane, Waynesboro. Interment will be after the services at Augusta Memorial Park. All are welcome to both.
We love you, Mom. We will miss you tremendously. Thanks for your loving, caring, and honorable life. We will strive
to follow your example. McDow Funeral Home