Mary McGuire Shanholtz, 79, went to be with her heavenly father on June 7, 2023.
She was born in 1943 to Okie and Charlie McGuire and raised in Fairlawn.
She married Vernon Shanholtz at Easter in 1965, in Radford, and they have two daughters. They celebrated 49 years together. They frequently spent time working on projects together from canning, wedding flowers, gardening and more.
Mary held a Masters degree in biology from Radford University. She retired after teaching high school math and biology for 34 years. She expected rigorous study and effort while she provided patience, support, and guidance for learning. She was gifted at helping others learn and cared deeply about her students. She invested countless hours with others – encouraging, counseling, and teaching. She was interested in their hopes and future, compassionate and understanding with their challenges. Many remember her use of quirky humor to engage students.
Mary loved God and everything she did was to honor Him. She loved and gave generously. She gardened, painted, baked, and was an avid photographer and expert seamstress. She and her husband shared a passion for gardening and being with their six grandsons. Her legacy is strong because she made a positive impact on so many lives. Mary Shanholtz will be remembered for a life of love, generosity, Godly inspired wisdom, and excellence. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. Her immediate family and friends feel privileged to have been a part of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Okie and Charlie McGuire; her husband, Vernon Shanholtz; her brother-in-law, Thomas Owen: and her nephew, Jonathan H. Cox.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Diane Shanholtz Hartt (William IV) and Dawn Shanholtz Hooper (Mark); grandchildren, Grayson Hooper, Caleb Hooper, Quent Hartt, Samuel Hartt, Zachary Hooper, and Cole Hooper; sisters and brother-in-law, Eva McGuire Owen (Tom (dec.)), and Catherine Cox White (Jesse); as well as many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Kroontje Healthcare Center at Warm Hearth Village for their care and kindness during these last few months. The family also thanks her many friends and neighbors for their love and support.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford with Pastor Cameron Mitchell and Pastor Dan Agee officiating. Interment followed in the Sunrise Burial Park in Fairlawn. The family received friends prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chosen People Ministries or Fairlawn Grace Brethren Church.
The family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home and Crematory in Radford.
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