Shirley Ann Sailors

Shirley Ann Sailors, 83, of Gastonia, NC, passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

She was born in Cleveland County, NC, to the late Harlie and Laler Ellis Francis.

Shirley was a member of Westwood Heights Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. She formerly attended New Hope Baptist Church in Earl, NC, where she served as a Sunday school teacher. She also owned and operated Busy Bees Daycare in Shelby for over 20 years.

Shirley LOVED, because God loved her first. She often called people "Honey" and ended her conversations with "I love you." She spent her life caring for children, which was her God-given gift. While children were important to her, she also loved and cherished the parents of the children she cared for.

She enjoyed Christian music, and was not afraid to worship the Lord. While she enjoyed southern gospel music, she also embraced contemporary Christian. Drums were her favorite.

She was a die-hard Braves fan - regardless of their win streak, often eating a bite of creamy peanut butter while watching the games. She also loved her Tar Heels.

Her family was very important to her and she loved them fiercely.

Because of Shirley's gift to show love, many people learned to love from her example.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands, Willis "Curt" Holloway and Lawrence Sailors; and six brothers and sisters.

Shirley is survived by her sons, L. Derek Sailors, and Greg Sailors and wife Krystal; grandchildren, Jackson, Luke, Landan, and Joshua; and sister, Ruby Hamrick and husband Arnold Wilde.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 31, 2024, 9:30 - 10:30 am at Westwood Heights Baptist Church, 650 Dellinger Road, Shelby, NC 28152. A service to celebrate Shirley's life will follow the visitation at the church at 11:00 am. Interment will be private at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Earl, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to purchase blankets for the homeless, which she was passionate about: Westwood Heights Baptist Church ,650 Dellinger Road, Shelby NC 28152

Arrangements are with the West Chapel of Greene Funeral Service, 216 Archie Whitesides Road, Gastonia, NC 28052.

Online condolences may be made at www.greenefuneral.com