Shirley Hurt Brand

Shirley Hurt Brand, 86, of Salem, Virginia, died at home on Friday, November 29th. She was born on July 12, 1927 in Copper Valley of Floyd County, Virginia. At the time there were no schools in the area so the family moved to Christiansburg, and later to Sedgefield, near Greensboro, N.C. Shirley went to college in Washington, DC during World War II at Marjorie Webster College, where she majored in Communications. She moved to Roanoke, Virginia in 1950 and married E. Cabell Brand in 1964. Shirley devoted her life to the care and welfare of her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and the children of the Roanoke Valley. She was a preschool teacher at the Gin Whitten Preschool in Roanoke, where she developed a keen understanding of the role of early childhood development in the issues of education, poverty, health, and crime on the future achievements of children. She served as a tireless community leader, volunteer and visionary for over 60 years, serving on various boards ranging from community social issues to the arts. She co-chaired the Family Service Committee and served two terms on the board of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As a member of the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley, she was involved in a number of its community programs including the Roanoke Youth Symphony and the Junior League weekly radio program. She was a member of the Girl Scout Council and served on the boards of the Art Museum of Western Virginia, Science Museum of Western Virginia, Harrison Museum of African-American Culture, Roanoke Ballet, Roanoke Opera, Sidewalk Art Show, Childrens Theatre, and Salem Historical Society, among others. She leaves an immeasurable and valuable legacy to all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her, and to the thousands of lives she touched through her dedication to the betterment of all. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Edward Cabell Brand and their 5 children and 14 grandchildren: Sylvia Brand Knaup (Gunther) of Nashville, TN; Liza Pence Urso and her children Philip, Laura and Christin of Dallas, TX; Miriam Brand Kline (John) and children Brandon and Kathryn of Richmond, VA; John Wilson Pence and his three sons Thomas, Benjamin and Caleb of Tampa, FL; Caroline Brand Mateja (Brian) and children Maggie, Patrick and Jack of Charlottesville, VA; daughter-in-law Susan Pence and daughters Rachel and Shelley of Salem, VA; daughter-in-law Beth and son Cabell Keating Brand of Saluda, NC; daughter-in-law Lisa Pence of St. Petersburg, FL; sister Virginia Hurt Breeden of Virginia Beach, VA, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sons Marshall Cabell Brand, Edward Cabell Brand, Jr. and Richard Franklin Pence, Jr. and her sister Rebecca Hurt Johnson. The family would like to express their gratitude to the care provided to Shirley and her family by her loving caregivers Bill Wood, Linda Harmon, Gladys Forde, Benna Pulliam, Nikki Ford, Wanda Shinault and Gentle Shepherd Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, December 21st at Salem Presbyterian Church, following a private family burial. The family will receive visitors on Friday, December 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following charities: The Shirley Hurt Brand Fund to Benefit Childrens Hunger Relief at Feeding America Southwest Virginia, 1025 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153 The Shirley Hurt Brand Memorial Fund at Sutherland United Methodist Church, 1454 Sutherland Road, Creston, NC 28615 Online condolences may be made at www.johnmoakey.com.