Shirley Dean Pritchard
“The Admiral”
September 6, 1945 – January 7, 2012
Born in a small Texas Town call Teague, she was the daughter
of the late Harold L. Russell and his wife Eloise.
Surviving to celebrate, cherish and reclaim the memories of
those wonderful years gone by, include her devoted and loving Husband of over
44 years, Herman Selby Pritchard, their three children, Teresa Lynne Helwig,
Herman Michael Pritchard, and Anthony Russell Pritchard, eight Grand Children,
Two brothers, Jim and Steve Ecker, numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles,
cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, all scattered from coast to coast by way
of the land she loved, called Texas, where Shirley was presented to the world
in 1945 as “Shirley Dean, my yellow rose” by her mom. She was predeceased by
loving sister, Deborah L. Ecker, step-father and father-in-law, William R.
Pritchard, and her mother Evadne Eloise, Dickey, Russell, Ecker, Pritchard.
While there are many stories in which to share, her love of
life, family and friends was always there. It might even be said she never knew
a stranger at her door, and this is true. But she longed to walk along the
beaches of her beloved Kure Beach to the rhythm of those waves to discover new
shells along the way. Now if it was a full moon, her Virgo spirit pulled at her
to gaze and dream of peace and love and happiness for all those everywhere. She
was a tender soul whose smile, so radiant and pure lit up every room she ever
entered. Now there was something mystical about her smile as it sparked a curiosity
of sorts for those drawn to look her way. It was by nature reassuring to those of
us who knew and loved her. We knew without a single word being said, her smile
could reassure and heal the soul. And while we each may have our challenges
throughout our individual lives, Shirley began her journey to overcome those
dreaded hurdles almost 13 years ago as God took her by the hand to comfort and
guide her throughout her time to that promised land. I suppose one might wonder
about all that has been said, you know those horrendous obstacles she had to
endure and all, but somewhere near the end of things she kept that beautiful,
radiant smile as if to reassure her love to each of us and say she was at
peace. I suppose that must have been the time God took her home with him.
We love you.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday January 11, 2012 at St. Pauls United Methodist Church Carolina Beach. Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
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Wilmington Funeral and Cremation 1535 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099
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