Shirley Heare

Shirley Garland Heare, 85 of Fayetteville, NC, took the hand of Jesus and entered the Promised Land on Friday, July 14, 2023.

She was born June 1, 1938 in Cumberland, MD, and lived there until she married the love of her life, Fred Heare, on September 15, 1956, when she immediately became a military spouse.  Being military, she traveled across the United States as well as Europe and she always loved to travel.  No matter where they lived, she always made each place feel like home.  After Fred retired in 1972, Fayetteville became her permanent home.  She worked as an Elementary teacher at Cumberland Christian Schools, at J.C. Penney in the men’s department, and at Equifax. 

Shirley accepted Christ as her personal savior on March 11, 1973.  She will always be remembered for the way she loved Jesus and the way she demonstrated His love to all those around her, especially with her hugs.  She served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, choir member, soul winner and filled the gap in areas as needed.

She was a homemaker, an excellent cook and LOVED her desserts. Every year she made fudge which she took to all her doctors and friends at Christmas.  She was caring and giving and always made others feel loved.

Special thanks and appreciation to the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their care and compassion during Shirley’s final days.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Lucius and Helen (Stallings) Garland; brothers, Wilbur, Ralph, Alfred, Alvin, Melvin and Robert; and sisters, Pearl Snider, Nola Helmstetter, and Nina Shaw.

Those left to cherish her memory include the love of her life, her husband of 66 years, Fred Heare; daughters, Kathy (Steve) Watts of Sevierville, TN, Linda (Randy) See of Crown City, OH, Sandy (Tom) Turner of Fayetteville, NC; siblings, Lee Garland of Keyser, WV, and James Garland and Reba Nelson, both of Cumberland, MD; 10 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great granddaughters; and a host of other family and friends.

Friends are invited to attend the visitation on Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 2 to 3 p.m., as well as her celebration of life service immediately following, at Freedom Baptist Church, 2115 Middle Road, Eastover, NC 28312.  

Services will be livestreamed on Facebook at the Freedom Baptist Church page and can be viewed here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.