Shirley Lavender Jablonka

Mrs. Shirley Lavender Jablonka, 86, died unexpectedly on March 27, 2017. Shirley was born in Terra Ceia, Florida, on March 1, 1931, to John Littleton and Georgia Hunt Lavender. She lived in Bradenton, Florida throughout her high school years, where she loved going to the beach, spending time with her best friends, and working at her dad's general store. Shirley graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business, and was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority. As a young adult, Shirley moved to Lancaster, Ohio, where she resided until recently. In Lancaster, she was active in the life of First Presbyterian Church as long as her health permitted. Shirley created bookmarks for the church, tutored at the West School After School Program, and contributed her time and support to numerous charities throughout her life. Shirley was very sharp and loved playing all types of games, especially bridge, puzzles, and coloring, and she was a voracious reader. She also loved working in her rose garden, playing golf and tennis, and (her favorite) eating any kind of sweets! A dedicated mother, Shirley supported her children throughout all their school and sporting events. Her most cherished times were those spent with her family. For many years, Shirley and Paul also enjoyed their mountain vacation home in Sapphire Valley, North Carolina, and had many close friends in Cashiers. In 2016, she and Paul moved to Winston-Salem to be close to their children and grandchildren. They lived at Homestead Hills retirement community where they celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on March 22nd. Shirley will forever be remembered as a kind, gracious, and humble individual who deeply touched the lives of her family and her countless friends and neighbors. She is survived by her husband, Paul; daughter, Jennifer Hansel of Clemmons, North Carolina; son, Brian Hansel (LaRee) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; two grandsons, Jeremy Hansel (Juliette) of the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Va., and Ben Hansel of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Alex, Jack, and Remy. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 12:00 PM at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home located at 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. A Christian burial service will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends preceding the service from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. A reception at Homestead Hills Retirement Community will immediately follow interment. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, and share their memories of Shirley with the family. A memorial service will take place in Lancaster, Ohio, at a later date. In addition to flowers, Shirley requested memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Ohio, 222 N Broad St, Lancaster, OH 43130; The Southeast Ohio Sight Center in Lancaster, Ohio, 358 Lincoln Ave, Lancaster, OH 43130; or Homestead Hills Appreciation Fund in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 3250 Homestead Club Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

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