George Shields

George Hume Shields, Jr. of 150 Westmoreland Court, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016.He was born on August 24, 1923 in Danville, VA, a son of the late Lillian Bowman Shields and George Hume Shields, Sr. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Leah Hagar Shields; two daughters, Karen Shields Luper of Richmond, VA and Elizabeth Hagar Shields Ateyeh and husband Edward Charles Ateyeh of Austin, TX; and four grandchildren, Dr. Erin Luper, Brenton Luper, Courtney Ateyeh Albright and her husband Alex and Edward Charles Ateyeh, III (Tripp). He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Hi George”. Mr. Shields was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Bonnie Lorraine Shields. He attended Dan River High School and Averett College. During World War II he was a 1ST Sgt. with the 8TH U.S. Army Airforces European Operations from 1943-1946. In 1952 he was named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. As an active member of First Baptist Church, he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, a church Trustee and served on various other committees. In his 60 years in the Real Estate business, he was a past president of the Danville Board of Realtors and in 1973 he was named by the Virginia Association of Realtors as outstanding president of Region 5, which comprised 15 Southside Virginia counties. He was also a past president of the Virginia Auctioneers Association. For many years, he served on the board of Security Bank. Because of his love of the community, he was a member of various other organizations. He gave his time to the Danville Life Saving Crew, where he was past president, the Kiwanis Club of Danville, American Legion Post 325, Carter Masonic Lodge and the Danville Golf Club. He was a member of the Danville Science Center, the Danville Historical Society and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. In 1982, he was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award by Averett University. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Averett University and most notably in 1992 Averett University bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctor of Law degree. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 871 Main Street, Danville, VA on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 2 pm. Prior to the service, visitation will be held at 1 pm in the Heritage Room of the church.A private burial will be held in Highland Burial Park. The family request that memorials be sent to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 871 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541 or the George and Leah Shields Scholarship Fund, Averett University, 420 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541.