Shirley Rife

Shirley Marie Barrett Rife died of congestive heart failure during the early morning hours of June 26, 2018.  She passed away at home as she had wished.

Born September 30, 1934, Shirley would soon have been 84 years old.  She was the only child of Marie Guinn Barrett and Clyde Barrett.

Growing up in Hurley, Virginia, Shirley developed an abiding love of nature and small-town life.  She loved reading, television mysteries, soap operas, yard sales and Christmas.  She loved her children, but she found a special joy in her grandchildren.  Most of all, Shirley loved God and was amazed by how good he was to her.  In the last years of her life, she lived by praying continuously.

Married very young, Shirley married Ervin “Junior” Rife, and they were married for 55 years.  After his death in 2005, she treasured all the years she spent with him.  Shirley and Junior had four children.  Their oldest son, Stanley Scott, drowned when he was 10, and the loss of Stanley was a tragedy from which neither parent fully recovered. 

Surviving children are Sharon Lynn Eagleston (Kenny), Judy Carol Beanblossom (husband, Robert), Ervin Eugene Rife and wife Jackie, who Shirley loved like a daughter; her grandchildren: Becky Stevenson and Amberlee Elmore; her great grandchildren: Emily Stevenson, Raegan Elmore, Courtney Blankenship and Isaiah Blankenship; her great great grandson: Brayden Stevenson.

The family extends special thanks to Nella Kennedy and Pam Bailey who had been Shirley long term caregivers, they cared for Shirley daily, and there will never be enough words to thank them.  Pam provided care for 9 years and Shirley loved her very much.

Shirley’s children’s hearts are broken, and her memory will remain in our hearts until the day we die.

Based on Shirley’s wishes, a brief remembrance service will be held Friday, June 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm, where friends are invited to share condolences, at the Gilbert Church of God with Rev. Sherman Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in the Hatfield Cemetery at Sharon Heights, she will be buried beside her husband and her son.

Shirley will be carried to her final resting place by Eugene Rife, Kenneth Eagleston, Robert Beanblossom, Judy Beanblossom, Dell Stevenson and Eddie Elmore.

Her wonderful smile and gentle heart will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known and loved her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Rife, please visit our floral store.