Shirley Laverne Mickles Herndon

Shirley Laverne Herndon quietly transitioned to eternal life on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 12:39 p.m. in Roanoke, Virginia with her family by her side.

Shirley was born on February 13, 1937, in Campbell County, to the late Milton and Lucy Mickles, and was the second eldest sibling of nine children. She grew up in Rustburg, Virginia, and was educated in the Campbell County School District. Immediately after school, she became employed at Imperial Reading and was there for thirty-nine years before she retired.

Shirley found her soulmate and partner for life when she married Roger Herndon on November 19, 1955. She was devoted to her beloved husband for fifty-nine and a half years before her passing. From this marriage four children were born, a son who precedes her and three daughters, who she affectionately called Puddin’, Cookie, and Ronnie Cake.

Shirley joined Chapel Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She thoroughly enjoyed working in the Church. Because of her love of flowers, she started the floral arrangements on the pulpit. Her daughters have fond memories of their mom being excited to get her flowers on Saturdays, so the Church would have flowers for service on Sunday morning. Shirley was devoted to serving and would gladly assist whenever she was called upon to do so. She always made time to visit the Sick or Homebound friends. She was a member of the Gospel Choir, until she became ill, and she surely loved gospel music. She would wake up every morning listening to Fletcher Hubbard’s gospel station on the radio as she dressed for work. Shirley’s display of love for her daughters, her grandchildren, and her beloved husband was unconditional. The bond that she and her husband shared was never shaken throughout their entire marriage. The vast number of lives she touched will surely cherish her loving memory.

Wife, Mama and Nana, we will surely miss your physical presence, but you will forever be in our minds and in our hearts.

 Shirley leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted husband Roger, and three daughters, Shelbry Bender (Julius) of Rustburg, Virginia, Shelia Perry-Bush (Charles) of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, and Veronica Blank (Dietmar) of Forest, Virginia; t wo granddaughters, Shannon Werts (Kenneth) of Richmond, Virginia, Shirkenia Barrett (Ash) of Lynchburg, Virginia, and one grandson that she adored, Eugene C. Perry, III of Chester, Virginia; and two great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Jr. and Kiley Werts.

She also leaves eight siblings, Lavonne Waterstratt and Milton Mickles of Washington, D.C., Phyllis Smith, Frank G. Mickles (Virginia), Adolphus Mickles, Doris Elliott (James), Fred Mickles, and Eunice Hood (Andrew) all of Rustburg, Virginia; one brother-in-law, Eddie Herndon (Ernestine) of Farmville, Virginia; two aunts, Ruby Mickles and MaryAnn Mickles of Rustburg, Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Shirley also had many others that she loved as her own children, a daughter Helen Adams, and three sons, Paul Lewis, Jr., Waldo Freeman, and Calvin Franklin, affectionately called “Junie Bug”.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.