Shirley Trent Stanley

Shirley Trent Stanley, 96, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023, with her family lovingly by her side. Born October 17, 1927, to Dorothy and Oakley Trent, Shirley lived most of her young life in War, West Virginia, where she was born. She was the 3rd oldest of five siblings – sisters Pauline (Keen), Lorraine (Wright), Marie (Horn) and her brother, Michael (Trent).  Family vacations - many at Myrtle Beach, SC - led to a deep love for the ocean and the sound of the waves.  Shirley would sneak out on the balcony with blankets and a pillow at night claiming that she always slept better listening to the waves.  In her adult years, she met and married her husband (that is a whole other story) and moved to Orlando, Florida where she had her son, Max Reynolds Stanley, Jr., and almost 3 years later, her daughter Cheryl Beth Stanley (Grant). She was forever proud of her children, touting them as “her greatest accomplishments”. Cheryl married Clark Grant (whom Shirley loved dearly) and made Shirley a “Mimi” to their twins, Reagan Elise and Harrison Clark. Shirley loved her grandchildren more than she ever imagined possible and spoiled them at every opportunity.  Shirley is survived by her son, Max R. Stanley, Jr.; her daughter, Cheryl Stanley Grant; her son-in-law, Clark Grant, and her two grandchildren, Reagan Elise Grant and Harrison Clark Grant, and her older sister (she would want to get that fact in there), Lorraine Wright.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Davenport Trent; her father, Oakley Homer Trent; her sister, Pauline Keen and her brother-in-law, Elster Keen; her brother, Michael Trent; her sister, Marie Horn and her brother-in-law, Amos Horn, and her brother-in-law, Haven “Buck” Wright.  Shirley was strong-willed and stubborn at times, and the phrases “her way or the highway” and “I brought you into this world and I can take you out” often made you think of Shirley. But she also had an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humor. She was generous, loyal, and courageous. She was a “Jane of All Trades”: pilot-in-training, insurance salesperson, car salesperson, league bowler, golfer, baker of cookies, maker of crafts, singer of songs, sewer of clothes, and mechanic for anything broken.  Shirley loved others by doing for them.  She will be remembered for all the heart she shared with her friends and family. She truly loved each of them- and if you knew her, you knew it. Every phone call ended with an “I Love You…God Bless You” and a prayer. She will be missed more than words can express.  Her life will be celebrated at 2pm on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel, 6685 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, NC 27023. Cheryl, Max R., Clark, Reagan and Harrison will visit with family and friends following the service.