Shirley W. Fairless

December 24, 2008

12/24/2008

HARRELLSVILLE – Shirley Wilkins Fairless, 81, of the 1500 block of Swains Mill Road, died Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at his home.

Mr. Fairless was born in Hertford County, a son of the late Joseph Graham and Mary Ellie Fairless Fairless.

He was a longtime member of Christian Harbor Baptist Church, serving as church secretary for over 30 years, a deacon, and former choir member.

Shirley was a 1945 graduate of Harrellsville High School. After graduation, Shirley signed a one year contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. After returning home, he played baseball for the semi-pro Albemarle League with the Colerain Trappers team and later, for a short time, with the Elizabeth City team until the League folded in 1950.

Besides baseball, Shirley had a passion for farming and prided himself in his accomplishments in the field. After retiring from farming in 1994, he started working part time as a funeral attendant at Garrett Funeral Home, another opportunity to serve others, until his health declined and forced him to retire.

He leaves behind his loving wife of over 60 years, Forrise Newbern ‘Blue’ Fairless; his daughters, Dianne F. Smith of Asheville, NC, Mary Ellen F. Cullipher of Colerain; his sons, Larry W. Fairless of Harrellsville, J. Wayne Fairless of Ahoskie, and James M. ‘Jimmy’ Fairless of Harrellsville; a sister, Florence F. Pearce of Harrellsville; ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three step grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, a brother and two grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2008, at Garrett Funeral Home, with the Rev. Hugh Mizelle officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and other times at the home. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910, or to a charity of choice.

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Ricky, Jerri Lynn & Lee Britt
15 years ago

Dear Fairless Family:

Please know that you all have been in our thoughts and prayers over the past several weeks. Our heart goes out to you during your time of loss. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you. May GOD continue to be with your family.

Sharon
15 years ago

Wayne,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Allow God to be with and comfort you during this very difficult time.

Carolyn Martin
15 years ago

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to members of Mr. Fairless’ family. I did not know Mr. Fairless on a personal level but I do know members of his family and I want each to know how sorry I am for this loss. May God bless each in a special way.

Carolyn Martin

Carl Pierce
15 years ago

Sorry for your great loss. May God bless in this time of sorrow.

Pastor T. E. Thieman
15 years ago

To the Family of Shirley Fairless,

Our prayers and thoughts are with you in Shirley’s departure. Heaven is where we all look forward to and I know that Shirley is there. The Lord probably has him doing some Deacon work and making rooms for us and our arrival. God Bless! gene and frances.