Shirley Sue Kimrey Wright
August 10, 1939 ~ January 5, 2023
Shirley Wright, 83, passed away peacefully January 5, 2023 in Vienna, Virginia with her loving husband of 63 years, Bob, at her side.
Born on August 10, 1939 in Norwood, NC, she was the daughter of Joel and Corniela Kimrey. She was one of five children and sister to Melvin Kimrey (deceased), Jerry Kimrey, Pat Russell, and Bernard Kimrey. After graduating high school, she left Norwood to work for the Department of the Navy in Washington, DC. She held various administrative positions and completed her career at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Shirley met Bob in Arlington when he offered her and her three roommates a ride to Washington, DC. Their first date was to a bowling alley on Wilson Boulevard, and their journey began. Bob was the love of her life, her cherished soulmate, and best friend. Over their years together the military led them to a tour to Okinawa, and later an Agency tour to Europe for three years. They had one son, Douglas, who was the joy of her life, and she was proud of his many accomplishments. Her most treasured memories were taking Douglas to Disney and his many visits to her family in Norwood.
She raised her family in the old style and was very spiritual. She read the Bible every day, did Bible study, and was very active in her church. In her younger days, Shirley loved to square dance, travel, create ceramics and other art projects, and to collect dolls and Hummel figurines. She loved to play bridge with her friends and host the bridge club. She loved puttering in her garden and baking cookies with her grandchildren. She loved to shop and attend plays and performances. Shirley took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, Ashleigh, Eric, Sarah, and Mark. She loved to celebrate their successes and was a great source of encouragement for all of their endeavors. Her favorite times spent were with her family, and she spent every moment she could with them.
She always had a smile on her face and was always thinking of others. Shirley loved everything about Christmas and decorated every nook of her home. Shirley had the most fun playing highly competitive money Bingo with her grandkids and just finished several enthusiastic games on Christmas Eve! She loved all holidays, but especially Christmas.
She is survived by her husband Bob Wright, her son Douglas and his wife Patricia, her grandchildren, Ashleigh Kerns and her husband David, Eric Wright, Sarah Dickson and her husband Chance, and Mark Wright. Shirley was also the proud great grandmother of Elizabeth Dickson and another great grandchild due this month. She will be forever remembered and cherished.
Visitation will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Sunday, January 8th from 11am to 1pm. Interment at National Memorial Park to follow.
Born on August 10, 1939 in Norwood, NC, she was the daughter of Joel and Corniela Kimrey. She was one of five children and sister to Melvin Kimrey (deceased), Jerry Kimrey, Pat Russell, and Bernard Kimrey. After graduating high school, she left Norwood to work for the Department of the Navy in Washington, DC. She held various administrative positions and completed her career at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Shirley met Bob in Arlington when he offered her and her three roommates a ride to Washington, DC. Their first date was to a bowling alley on Wilson Boulevard, and their journey began. Bob was the love of her life, her cherished soulmate, and best friend. Over their years together the military led them to a tour to Okinawa, and later an Agency tour to Europe for three years. They had one son, Douglas, who was the joy of her life, and she was proud of his many accomplishments. Her most treasured memories were taking Douglas to Disney and his many visits to her family in Norwood.
She raised her family in the old style and was very spiritual. She read the Bible every day, did Bible study, and was very active in her church. In her younger days, Shirley loved to square dance, travel, create ceramics and other art projects, and to collect dolls and Hummel figurines. She loved to play bridge with her friends and host the bridge club. She loved puttering in her garden and baking cookies with her grandchildren. She loved to shop and attend plays and performances. Shirley took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, Ashleigh, Eric, Sarah, and Mark. She loved to celebrate their successes and was a great source of encouragement for all of their endeavors. Her favorite times spent were with her family, and she spent every moment she could with them.
She always had a smile on her face and was always thinking of others. Shirley loved everything about Christmas and decorated every nook of her home. Shirley had the most fun playing highly competitive money Bingo with her grandkids and just finished several enthusiastic games on Christmas Eve! She loved all holidays, but especially Christmas.
She is survived by her husband Bob Wright, her son Douglas and his wife Patricia, her grandchildren, Ashleigh Kerns and her husband David, Eric Wright, Sarah Dickson and her husband Chance, and Mark Wright. Shirley was also the proud great grandmother of Elizabeth Dickson and another great grandchild due this month. She will be forever remembered and cherished.
Visitation will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Sunday, January 8th from 11am to 1pm. Interment at National Memorial Park to follow.
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Shirley was my loving neighbor and celebrated my children like a loving grandmother. Shirley went to their plays, performances, and applauded many times during our living room concerts! I most enjoyed seeing Shirley and Bob live together in a loving marriage, a happy home and pride for their four grandchildren!
Bob, Doug, Trish and Family. Our sincere condolences on Shirley’s passing. We’ve been friends for nearly 40 years and shared a lot of experiences together; here in DC and overseas too. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all and we cherish the fond memories of Shirley. She was always there for everyone else in need. May she rest in eternal peace. Robby, Yukie and Erika Manemann
I photographed Shirley and Bob for their 50th Anniversary. It was not hard getting them to strike a sweetheart pose!
Dear Wright family,
Shirley was a lovely lady in EVERY sense of the word. We have missed seeing her at the neighborhood parties of late, she was always such a delightful, warm presence. God bless you at this time. The Pell family
Dear Wright Family,
To know Shirley, was like knowing a ray of sunshine. Her concerns, were for her family and others, not herself.
She will be sorely missed.
You will be in our thoughts and Prayers. The Rowe Family
What a wonderful couple, and such a sweet woman! So sorry to hear of her passing.
Shirley (with husband Bob) was a generous, cheerful, ideal neighbor! The first Christmas our family of nine lived here, Shirley gifted us with a platter of delicious cookies—-much enjoyed! In the spring she happily shared sweet woodruff, a PA lilac, and many other plants from her lovely garden. One morning as I was walking my young grandsons, she invited us in to have a tour of Bob’s professional-level workshop and to eat a couple cookies. If we could design the perfect neighbor, she would look like Shirley (and Bob) Wright! A lovely lady and sister in Christ!!!
Doug and the Wright family,
Our thoughts are with you on the kiss of your mother. Love and prayers to all at this difficult time. Tim Vaughan and family.
Shirley was always a bright light in our neighborhood gatherings. We enjoyed spending time talking with her and will miss her friendly spirit. Blessings to the family during this time. The Rymers
So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Jerry and I overlapped with her and Bob in Frankfurt, Germany. She was such a pleasant person to know and associate with, and was the driving force maintaining a correspondence between us–largely Christmas letters. She was always so cheerful, full of life and lively stories. I know she will be sorely missed by Bob and her family.
My very best wishes to all of you!