Emily Shelley

Emily E. Shelley VIRGINIA BEACH - Emily E. Groover Shelley died peacefully in her home after a long battle with lung cancer Oct. 27, 2010. She was born Jan. 16, 1924 in Savannah, Ga., to Sidney Sinclair Ellis and Elizabeth Purse Ellis. She is survived by her daughter, Beth Groover Miller and husband David L. Miller; and stepson, Jay Shelley and wife Gwen; grandchildren, Bennie Harold DuBois and wife Sharon, Charles Jeffrey (Jeff) DuBois, Amy Elizabeth Rutz, Tracey L. Jamison and husband David and Matthew (Matt) Miller; great-grandchildren, Tiffany Holt, Jason Strickland, Elizabeth Rutz, Jessica Rutz, Jeffrey DuBois, and Zachary DuBois; great-grandchildren, Julia, Alex and Kayla Jamison; and a great-great-grandson, Andres Rutz. She was predeceased by husbands, Charles Walker Groover of Savannah, Ga., and Jackson H. Shelley of Virginia Beach. Emily loved her family and many friends. She was an avid gardener and hard worker. She was known as Mama Groover to her children at Lynnhaven Elementary where she was a cafeteria manager for Virginia Beach Public Schools for more than 20 years. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling, cruising, camping and just having fun. She never met a stranger and gave generously to others in need. She was a member of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church for more than 45 years and was a "peanut lady." She will be dearly missed by all who knew her, friends and family alike. God and family were always first for Emily. The family wishes to thank Sentara Hospice and loyal volunteers plus her many friends who cared for her during her illness. A memorial service will be held at Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. A reception will be held in the parish hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to either Sentara Hospice, The American Cancer Society or Virginia Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.