Shirley Wass McPherson, 87, of Blacksburg, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 at English Meadows. She was born in a small village in England on Oct. 8, 1936. At 16 years old, she met her future husband, Malcolm J. Mcpherson, and they had 50 glorious years together. In 1981, they moved with their children to California and then later to Virginia in 1991.
Shirley believed that being of service to others is a lifelong commitment. She volunteered for various organizations as well as being a dedicated member of her church, OSLC of Christiansburg. She, along with others, started the Crafty Ladies and enjoyed the fellowship of others as they made and provided crafts to benefit various charities in the NRV. She also volunteered at MCEAP and the Christmas Store for many years. Shirley cherished her family and nothing made her more happy than providing Sunday dinners where family came together to eat and spend time together.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Mary Hannah Wass, her husband, Malcolm J. McPherson, her siblings Ashley, Geoff, Graham, Joan, Audrey and Kathleen and her son in law J. Wayne Garst.
She is survived by her children, Malcolm S. McPherson and Alison D. Garst; grandchildren, Malcolm J McPherson, Vickie (Matt) Foy, Connor York, Emily (John) Tedesco and Katie (Autumn) Garst; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; special niece, Heather McPherson and great great nephew Jacob Pegg, along with all of the Garst family that she claimed as her own.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 11a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Neal Turner officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens in Blacksburg. The family received friends Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg.
