Shirley B. Houff

Shirley B. Houff STAUNTON

Shirley Jean Bell Houff, 87, of Staunton, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at her residence.

She was born November 13, 1923, in Staunton, to the late Hallie Preston and Kathleen Lawrence Bell.

Mrs. Houff will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to many people. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as "Me(e)maw". For 32 years she worked with her husband in their retail grocery business at Houff's Grocery in Staunton. Through her years as a devoted life member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Staunton, she was a member of the Chancel Choir, the Sunshine Group, and the Pots and Pans Club. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, president and teacher of the Golden Deeds Bible Class, and for over 40 years, she was President of the Helping Hands Circle.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kathleen Elaine Ludwig.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Rollo B. Houff; two sons, Buzz Houff and his wife, Suzanne, of Fredericksbur,g and Mike Houff and his wife, Joy, of Staunton; two daughters, Donna Houff Ludwig and her husband, David, of Ft. Defiance and Linda Houff of Ft. Defiance; six grandchildren, Jackie Ware and her husband, Chris, of Arlington, Michael Petty and his wife, Teresa of Aylett, Jennifer Bryson and her husband, Felipe of Montgomery Village, Maryland, Christine Sidilau and her husband, Jonathan, of Sterling, Megan Crew and her husband, Ben, of Salem, Cassie Gochenaur and her husband, A.J., of Nashville, Tennessee; step-grandson, Don Purkall of Fredericksburg; seven great--grandchildren, Katelyn and Levi Petty, Katharine and Cameron Ware, Abby Ludwig and Bryce and Anne Morgan Crew.

A celebration of her life will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2011, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Staunton, by the Reverend G. Jeffrey Allen. Burial will follow at Thornrose Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers will be Wayne Anderson, Joe Cox, Fee Detamore, John Dillon, Ken Kyle, and Richard Powell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Golden Deeds Bible Class and Helping Hands Circle of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2011, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Shenandoah, P. O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939 or the Library at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA 24401.

Henry Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be made online to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.