Shirley Love

Shirley Lawrence Love, 91, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Lynchburg, Va.  She was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on March 29, 1927 to Forrest E. Lawrence and Gladys E. Lawrence.    She was raised there and graduated from Lane High School and then entered the University of Virginia School of Nursing.  She received her RN Degree and met her husband, Melvin Jeffress Love, a UVA graduate, while there.  They married in 1948 and moved to Danville where she spent a long career in nursing, later calling public health nursing her passion.    She had an exceptionally kind spirit, and was a gentle and sweet mother who will live on in our hearts forever.     Shirley was thoughtful and an earnest helper and nurturer to everyone she met and especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Over her long and blessed life, she cared for family, patients, neighbors and friends.    For 65 years, she was an active, involved member of First Baptist Church in Danville.  The Wayside Garden Club, The Wednesday Club, and the Danville Golf Club were a few of her interests.  She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Jeffress Love on June 25, 2007.     Adored by her daughter, Maureen Love Bendall and her husband Dr. Richard A. Bendall, Jr of Lynchburg, VA and her son, Lawrence Jeffress Love and his wife Pattee McInerney, both of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Loving grandchildren are Bryce Russell Bendall Harris and her husband Monty, Richard Augustus Bendall III and his wife Carter, Tracey Love Cox and her husband Bridge, Ashley Love and her husband Justin, and Erin Love. Cherished great grandchildren are Bode Harris, Katharine Love Harris, Leila Bendall Harris and Steele Montgomery Harris of Charlottesville, Emma Lawson Bendall of Lynchburg and Lucia Jeffress Cox of Charlottesville.  She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Lawrence Pritchett of Brevard, NC and many nieces and nephews, especially Jerry Wyatt of Danville.    Shirley moved to Lynchburg to the Summit in Forest four years ago and made many friends there and sang in the choir.  Her prized view from her apartment of her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains made her very happy each day.    Please consider a donation to Meals On Wheels of Lynchburg, VA, 605 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504 in her memory.    Graveside services will be held at Highland Burial Park in Danville, VA on Sunday, May 20th at 2 PM.