Shirley Jatholee Shafer Harvey

SHIRLEY JATHOLEE SHAFER HARVEY–NELSON COUNTY, VA.

Born March 26, 1923, died July 29, 2025. Shirley was born in West Virginia to Raymond Brown Shafer, who died when she was three, and Helen Hill Shafer. Shirley spent many of her early years in the homes of relatives in Buena Vista, Virginia. It wasn’t easy and the grit earned from that upbringing during the Great Depression was reflected in her oft stoic demeanor she presented throughout her life.

Some of Shirley’s fondest memories were from her younger adult years spent in Richmond with her girl friends while they toiled in the by-gone, but then-necessary, profession of telephone operating. It was during this time that she met a pilot who professed his love for her and, to prove it, sent her a photo of one side of his plane on which he had painted “Shirley.” Another suitor, a navyman, Lewis Carlton Harvey, scoffed and told her to ask for a photo of the other side.

Having won her over, on September 30, 1945, Shirley and Carlton wed. They had two children, Ronald and Janet, who they raised on Davis Creek amidst the family’s apple orchard in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Nelson County. On any given day, Shirley could be heard ringing the black dinner bell for the men to come in from the fields to enjoy the lunch she had prepared. She was a hard worker, but especially for W.T. Harvey & Sons Orchard Packinghouse in Lovingston, Virginia. There, Shirley did a little bit of everything. She graded apples and peaches, answered phones, stenciled baskets, made box tops, and even served as bookkeeper. But on Sunday afternoons, Shirley and Carlton, Ronald and Janet, and all of the uncles, aunts, cousins, and anyone else from the community who wanted to come along, would join together at “Papa” W.T. Harvey’s home. Those gatherings became a hallmark and were cherished by many.

After Hurricane Camille ravaged Davis Creek and Nelson County in 1969, Shirley and Carlton moved to Colleen, Virginia. It was at this home that many meals were enjoyed around the family table, holidays were celebrated, and laps were swam in the backyard pool, which remained ensconced with roses, sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, and whatever else Carlton’s whim was that season.

Shirley was a lifelong member of Oak Hill Baptist Church, where she served as superintendent of Vacation Bible School for many years. She even drove a school bus to bring children to Oak Hill–ensuring they could attend and instilling in their young minds the power of prayer in the process. After Cartlon’s death, Shirley avoided large gatherings, including at Oak Hill, but she always had her well-worn and cherished Bible close by and enjoyed spending her days listening to church services from home.

Later in life, Shirley was dubbed “MaHarvey” by her grandson. That nickname, like the memory of her held by her loved ones, persists. Shirley’s memory, unfortunately, did not. Slowly over the course of her final years, she no longer remembered many aspects of her life, people included. But she held on to those that meant the most the longest. She remembered her mother. She remembered her husband and her son. She remembered Janet, who remained her faithful caretaker. “Shirley,” “Mother,” “MaHarvey,” “Mrs. Harvey,” was loved.

Shirley is survived by: her son, Ronald (wife Beth, predeceased); her daughter Janet (husband Mike Vestal); her granddaughter, Susan (daughter of Ronald and Beth,wife to Ed Wanderer, and mother of Joshua, Ruth, and Dibora); her granddaughter, Christy (daughter of Janet and Mike, wife to Bill Martin, and mother of Harrison and Anna); and, her grandson, Paul (son of Janet and Mike). Upon marrying Carlton, Shirley acquired many brothers and sisters: she is predeceased by brothers-in-law Lynn, Douglas, Richard, and Clyde Harvey and sisters-in-law Margaret Harvey Hill and Doll Harvey Jackson; she is survived by sisters-in-law Annie Dee Harvey Kauffman and Virginia (Ginger) Harvey (wife to Clyde). She is survived by many friends, new and old, as well as extended family.

During her last years, Shirley was a resident of Rosewood at Greenbrier in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The family acknowledges and appreciates the dutiful care she received there and is grateful to Alan for the many things he did for her during that time. Thank you.

In honor of Shirley Harvey’s life, there will be a graveside service at Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery in Arrington, Virginia, on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 11:00am.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).