Shirley Booker Barrack

Shirley Booker Childs Barrack, age 90, of Farnham, passed away on November 19, 2025. She left this life peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Born in 1935, Shirley was the seventh of fifteen children born to Benjamin Franklin Childs, Sr. and Nettie Pearl Webb Childs. She was the devoted wife of 58 years to James Garland Barrack, Sr., from their marriage in 1951 until his passing in 2009.

Shirley lived a life of hard work, generosity, and devotion. She drove a school bus for Richmond County Public Schools for 44 years, forming bonds with the students that truly spanned generations. She also discovered a talent and passion for Tupperware, beginning as a part-time seller and rising through the ranks to regional sales manager. Her natural gift for encouragement, leadership, and organization helped launch and shape countless careers. Her good advice and mentorship helped many others begin their Tupperware careers.

A faithful Christian, Shirley was a dedicated and active member of Farnham and Northern Neck Baptist Churches. Over the years she taught children's Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, participated in the WMU, and led the Girls' Auxiliary. She was always ready with a helping hand and a willing heart, cherishing both her faith and her church family.

Though she was a real country girl at heart and loved tending her flowers and her home in Robley, Shirley still embraced the joys of travel. Her adventures took her to Paris, France; Germany; Monterey, California; Disney World; the beaches of Mexico, the magnificent tulip fields of Holland, and on many memorable cruises. Yet when asked about her favorite destination, Shirley would say it was "wherever her family was".

Coming from such a large and loving family herself, it is no surprise that Shirley poured her heart into the family she and Garland created together. What made her exceptional was the remarkable ability she had to truly see and value every unique member of her family. She listened deeply, loved wholeheartedly, and made each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild and great-great grandchild feel genuinely special. She was intensely proud of her family in general, and of each of them individually.

Shirley was a loving mother, an attentive and adoring nanny, and a devoted wife. She was hardworking, honest, funny, and strong. A true matriarch, her spirit will live on in the many hearts she shaped. Her example was - and will always remain - an inspiration.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved daughters, Joanne Lowery (Dennis) and Janice Conley (Billy); her daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Barrack; and her precious grandchildren: Jamie Barrack (Stacey), Jeremy Barrack (Sandra), Matthew Harrison (Marianne), Bryant Harrison (Ilsa), Becky Conley, Buddy Conley, Kimberly Lewis, Tracy Gray, Lindsy Hackman (Chris), Jason Lowery (Khuyen), Meghan Lowery (Ben), and Carter Lowery (Gina).

Shirley was the proud great-grandmother of Jake, Jenna, Josh, Josiah, Josie, Ben, Amy, Gale, Collin, Maison, Isaac, Simon, Owen, Harper, Saylor, Ace, Trent, Haley, Callie, and Grayson; and the delighted great-great-grandmother of little June. She is also survived by three siblings: Nancy Beauchamp, Barbara Ann Parker, and Harold Childs, Sr.; and will be remembered with great love by her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

One can only imagine the joyous reunion as Shirley entered Heaven's gate - welcomed by her cherished husband, Garland; her beloved son, Jimmy; her parents, Benjamin and Nettie; and eleven siblings.

A funeral service will be held at Farnham Baptist Church on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Reverend Rodney Morrison will officiate. Following the service, Shirley will be laid to rest beside her beloved Garland.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Lin Barrack, Ryan Barrack, Norman Childs, Paul Jones, Charles Lewis and Ray Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Shirley's memory to either Richmond Volunteer County Rescue Squad, 152 Community Park Drive, Warsaw, VA 22572 or to the Richmond County Fire Department, P.O. Box 245, Farnham, VA 22460.