Shirley (Valentine) Walters , affectionately known as "Shir Shir" was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 13, 2023.  She was the first of four children born to the late William C. and the late Beatrice F. Valentine on June 16, 1934.

She was educated in the Southampton County public school system through high school; after which, she continued her education at St. Paul College in Lawrenceville, VA where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree.  It was at St. Paul College where she met the love of her life, Steven Walters.  They later Married and moved to Somerset, NJ where she later obtained her Master's degree in Education from Rutgers University in New Brunswick and they remained married until Steven's untimely death in 1976.  While living in New Jersey, Shirley taught accounting at Edison High School.  She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Sharon Baptist Church in New Brunswick, NJ where she was a member of the secretarial staff while also filling in as a volunteer wherever needed for the Glory of God remaining a faithful and dedicated member until she relocated to Virginia in 2013 to remain closer to her siblings.

"Shir Shir" as she was lovingly nicknamed by her nephew Derrick, had no biological children but she was dedicated to mentoring and counseling a countless number of students who loved and respected her just as she did them.  Shir Shir loved to cook and decorate her home for every season and holiday using beautiful decorations she created herself.  She also loved spending time with and spoiling her family by preparing some of their favorite dishes whenever she knew they'd be visiting her; such as, her famous "Chicken-a-la-ShirShir", her layered banana pudding, peach cobbler and sherbet punch to name a few.  She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms and lots of love.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Steven Walters, her sisters Margaret Wynn, Thelma Davis and Barbara Warren, all of her grandparents as well as a special friend from The Chesapeake, Leroy Hubbard.   She leaves to cherish her fond memory, one brother William Valentine (Alice) of Hampton, VA; one sister who was a loving and dedicated caregiver, Vineonie Pickett (Abbie) of Yorktown, VA; nephews Andrew Warren, Apostle Karol Warren (Michelle) of Tampa, Fla and Derrick Forest of Charlotte, NC; niece/Goddaughter Sherry Jointer (William) of Newport News, VA; eleven great-nephews and nieces; nine great-great nephews and nieces along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held from 1:30 p.m. up until the Celebration of Life service starting at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel.