Shirley Hurst Obituary

Shirley Hurst March 19, 1935 - September 10, 2024

GRAY - Shirley Jean Hyde Hurst, 89, of Gray, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024, after fighting a courageous battle. Her loving family was by her side as she passed to her eternal home. Shirley was born March 19, 1935 in McCaysville, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late George William Hyde and Mamie Godfrey Hyde.

During World War II, Shirley's family moved several times. Around the 5th grade, her family settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Shirley attended the University of Maryland. As a young lady, Shirley met Buck, her future husband, and was smitten by the second date. She traveled by train to visit him in his hometown of Carroll County, Virginia, where they married, settled, and started their family. Shirley loved the new home she built with Buck. They were married 55 years. Shirley was raised in the Reformed Church and later transferred her membership to Hillsville Presbyterian Church. She served as an Elder on the Session at Hillsville Presbyterian Church when Rev. James Carpenter was the minister.

Shirley loved and enjoyed her family immensely. She enjoyed living in the country. She loved being a grandmother to Holly Lauren and watching her grow from a "little one" to a grown young lady. Holly spent a lot of time at MomMom and PopPop's home where Holly and MomMom were thick as thieves. It was said that "one would lie and the other would swear to it!" MomMom especially treasured her great-grandson, Rush Vernon Lanter. He was her pride and joy! Rush loved visiting MomMom's home in Gray, Tennessee, where Shirley moved in February 2021 to be close to her family. She transferred her church membership to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church soon after and she loved her new church home and family. In true Presbyterian fashion, Shirley had her favorite church pew where she sat every Sunday. After Shirley was no longer able to attend regular church services due to her health, her daughter-in-love Lisa would text her the link every Sunday to the online service. MomMom called it "tagging along." Shirley's hobbies were reading, caring for her home and flowers, and regaling listeners with her immense wealth of knowledge of historical events.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, D. Wayne Hurst; parents George William Hyde and Mamie G. Hyde; and sister Wanda Henninger.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Wesley G. Hurst and daughter-in-love, Lisa C. Hurst; granddaughter, Holly Hurst Lanter and husband, Taylor Lanter; great-grandson, Rush Vernon Lanter; brother, George Millard Hyde; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Lola Sutphin.

Two services will be held to commemorate the life of Shirley. The first Resurrection service will be held Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Vaughn-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, Virginia with Rev. J. David Randolph officiating. The family will receive friends at 1:00, one hour before the service. Burial will follow immediately after the service in Shockley Cemetery. The second Remembrance service will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, with Rev. J. David Randolph officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm, one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church 213 Colonial Heights Road Kingsport, TN 37663 or Hillsville Presbyterian Church 172 South Main Street Hillsville, VA 24343.

The family would like to extend a special debt of gratitude to the staff at NHC Healthcare in Johnson City, TN and especially Tina, Faith, Rebecca, and Page, who are true angels in disguise. The family also thanks Caris Hospice for their kind care and assistance. A guestbook is available online by visiting www.vaughanguynnand mcgrady.com. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.