At 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018, Shirley transitioned from what we know as "life here on Earth" at VCU Medical Center Richmond, VA.  Shirley Anne Yancey Clary was born in Norfolk, Virginia on May 21, 1938 to the late Hamlett Yancey and Nellie Morris.

She met a fine, young man at Norfolk State University, Winston N. Clary, Jr. and was married on June 30, 1957 and later divorced in 1975.

She was a school teacher in the New York Public Schools system and later became employed by Con Edison where she retired.  While in New York she was licensed as a minister at First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway, NY. Shirley sang with the Youth Ensemble and later joined the Triboro Mass Choir.  She later became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Pleasant Grove Tabernacle), Brooklyn, NY and was a licensed minister there until she retired and moved back to Virginia.

Upon her return to Virginia, she united with New Birth Community Church (Love and Unity Assembly), Wakefield, VA, and began fellowshipping at Gilfield Baptist Church, Ivor, VA.  She was also an Advisor to the Senior Citizens of Sussex County and a very active member in the activities of the organization.

Shirley was a woman of prayer, fasting, and a student of God's Word. Her personal library consisted of over 120 bibles, all having been used.  She loved all people, was a witness to people in her neighborhood, on the streets and in prisons.  One of her greatest missions in life was to be able to open her home to provide shelter for people in need.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Winston Jerome Clary, and Nathaniel Orlando Clary.

Left to cherish her memories include:  a daughter, Laura Deann Holloway (Charles); two grandchildren, Charles Orlando Holloway (Amanda), and Deniece Holloway-Dawkins (Tres); six great-children, Charles Nathaniel Holloway, Nichelle A. Holloway, Jelani C. Holloway, Alysse Holloway, Deavion Holloway-Lane, Haylee Dawkins and Harmony Dawkins; godsons, Mitchell and Michael Jones, and a host of relatives and friends.