Shirley Jane Garst

Shirley J. Garst Obituary Shirley J. Garst, 87, of Salem, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Shirley was born on November 2, 1936, in Roanoke, Va., daughter of the late Frazier L. and Kathleen Willett Garst. Prior to her retirement, she spent 30 plus years of faithful service to G.E. of Salem, as a personnel accountant. Following retirement, Shirley enjoyed the simple things in life, like caring for her yard and garden, as she loved her homeplace, as well as her neighbors. Although well known as a very independent person, she was a very giving and caring person, as her brother David explains. He remembers how she certainly enjoyed spoiling him as he grew up, and the spoiling was forwarded on to all her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. They knew her as “Shir” and considered her more like a grandma than their aunt. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Banks Garst, Jack M. Garst, Walter Pitzer Garst, and Franklin D. Garst; and a sister, Elizabeth Buchanan.Family remaining to cherish her memory includes her brother, David W. Garst and wife, Carolyn, of Salem; three sisters, Nancy Garst Mowles, Sarah Ferguson, both of Salem, and Sandra McGalliard and husband, Bill, of Roanoke; nine nieces and nephews; and 11 great nieces and nephews.A celebration of Shirley’s life will be conducted at a later date.In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Shirley’s memory to the ALS Association by visiting https://donate.als.org/.The family would like to offer a special thanks to the caring staff at the Oaks at Richfield for the love and care given to Shirley during her stay.Online condolences may be expressed to the Garst family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.