Shirley Kirby Armentrout, 89, of Radford, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Shirley was born July 26, 1936, and raised in Radford, the daughter of the late Mark and Ruth Kirby. She was an 83-year member of Central United Methodist Church having joined in January 1943. She graduated from Radford High School in 1954 and Radford College in 1957 with a degree in Biology. She was a very active day student, always making the Dean’s list, and was elected to Who’s Who of college students.
Shirley married her high school sweetheart Robert James (Bob) Smith, and they lived in Martinsville, where she taught Science and P.E. at Drewry Mason High School. When Bob passed, she returned to Radford where Jamie was born and she lived in the home place with her mother Ruth Kirby and sister Martha. Her father Mark Kirby founded Radford Drug in 1929 which would prove to be pretty handy when she met Bill Armentrout in Front Royal, Virginia. Bill had recently graduated from Pharmacy School where he met Shirley at a mutual friend’s house playing bridge. Four short months later Bill and Shirley were married. Shirley and Bill had two more children, Scott and Mark, and they lived, raised a family, worked and worshipped in Radford the rest of their lives.
Shirley served on the Radford City School Board and was crucial in the formation of John Dalton Intermediate School and was also a longtime member of the Radford P.E.O. Shirley was a health food nut before that was trendy and she established Shirley’s Cupboard with healthy items at Radford Drug. She worked out faithfully for decades lifting weights, walking and training with her trainer and dear friend Kim Faulkner for 31 years. During her empty nester years, she worked for a short while at Bonomos and Megs, clothing stores which she dearly loved. When Bill retired, they wintered in Florida, where Naples became her Happy Place for many years. After Bill passed, longtime friend Betty Branch became her “ride or die” travel companion. Shirley was baptized for the second time on Oct. 17, 2025, by Pastor Doug Levy of Central Church and fervently continued serving our heavenly father.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers that provided help throughout the last year, Kathy Vaughn, Donna Agee, Angel Reed and Barbara Gilmer just to name a few. A special thank you to caregivers Shelba Akers and Kay Altes.
Shirley is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Jamie and Connie Armentrout, Scott and Alice Armentrout and Mark and Karen Armentrout; grandchildren, Brian (Kelly), Dylan, Zan, Landon (Josie), Brett and Kara; great grandchildren, Oakley, Peyton, Madaline and Olivia; sister, Martha K. Howell; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Central Church Radford. A celebration of Shirley’s life will begin at 1 p.m. with Rev. Don Shelor officiating and assisted by Pastor Doug Levy. Entombment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Central Church Radford, 803 Wadsworth St., Radford, VA 24141 or to your favorite charity.
The Armentrout family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
