Shirley Sloan

Shirley Ann K. Sloan STATESVILLE - Shirley Ann Kennedy Sloan, 73, of the 100 block of Brookmeade Drive, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 5, 2011 at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville. Mrs. Sloan was born July 22, 1937 in Iredell County to the late Archie Marion and Ann Jones Kennedy. Shirley was married to Robert William Sloan at the First Baptist Church of Waukegan, Ill., July 2, 1956. Shirley grew up in Statesville, N.C., graduated from Statesville Senior High School, and attended Boulevard Methodist Church. After marrying in 1956, Shirley, as a Marine Corps wife, lived with her husband Bob and their five children at numerous Marine Corps bases including Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va., Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station, Mojave, Calif., Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Naval Air Station, Washington, D.C., the Great Lakes Navy Base, North Chicago, Ill., and the U.S. Navy Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1980, Bob and Shirley resided in Virginia Beach for 18 years before moving back to Statesville in 1995. For 26 years, she and her husband co-owned and operated the Bit of England Dart and Game Shoppe in Virginia Beach. Mrs. Sloan enjoyed flower gardening, lake fishing, cross-stitching and playing darts (team captain for four years). She loved her family dearly. She treasured her traveling adventures with her beloved husband and visiting her children and grandchildren. She was at the bedside for the birth of every grandchild. She was the best wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could ever have. Mrs. Sloan was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Harvey Ray Kennedy; and two granddaughters, Sarah Lynne Sizemore and Melissa Ann Sloan. In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by one son, Randy M. Sloan (Ethel) and four daughters, Patricia Ann Kovacs (Michael), Denise Lynn Sizemore (George), Robin Marie Sloan Gutkin and Donna Kaye Vegoe (Mark). Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, Jessica Ann Philips (Matthew B.), Theresa Michelle Sloan, Erica Jean Sloan, Kennedy Ann Sloan, Christopher George Sizemore, Emily Marie Sizemore, Sloan Alexandra Gutkin, Claire Elisabeth Gutkin, Shelby Ann Vegoe, Kyle McKinley Vegoe, Zachary Daniel Vegoe, Jesse Reece Vegoe, Danielle Rose Kovacs and Eric Michael Kovacs Sr. (Amy); and five great-grandchildren, Hayden Christopher Sizemore, Carter Ted Phillips, Marissa Jane Kovacs, Brionna Nicole Kovacs and Eric Michael Kovacs Jr. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 8, at Fairview Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Eanes officiating. The family will receive friends today from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church and other times will assemble at the Sloan residence, 115 Brookmeade Drive, Statesville after the services. Active pallbearers will be Michael F. Kovacs, Randy M. Sloan, Mark T. Vegoe, Kyle M. Vegoe, Christopher G. Sizemore, Barry T. Sloan and David R. Sloan. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 349 Turnersburg Road, Statesville, NC 28677 and online condolences may be made to www.nicholsonfunerals.com Arrangements are in the care of Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville.