Shirley Louise Moore Davis of Roanoke, Va. (formerly of Essington, Pa.) passed away at her home on Friday, February 5, 2016. Born April 13, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Louis H. Moore and Eva Hutchins Moore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years George C. Davis and her sister Doris Moore McArdle.




A longtime resident of Tinicum and Marple Townships, Pa., she and George moved to Roanoke, Va., in 2010 to be closer to their daughter, Susan Davis Black, and son-in-law Brian Black. Shirley graduated from Prospect Park High School and was the Treasurer of its alumni association until moving to Roanoke. As a teenager, she worked on the Jersey Shore, and as an adult she was employed as a bank teller and bookkeeper until going to work in the payroll department of Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Lester, PA, where she met George and asked him out on a date. She continued working after their marriage and through her pregnancy with Susan. She was a strong woman and always said that "women can do anything".




Shirley loved to do for others, volunteering throughout her life. She was a Girl Scout as a child and became a Girl Scout leader in the 60's along with her friend and co-leader Dot Ransom. She volunteered at the Marple Township Library and at Marple Newtown school district libraries. She was a member of the Friendship Chapter No. 551, Order of the Eastern Star of PA. She was an alto in her church choir and also played the organ. She and George volunteered at St. John's Tinicum Lutheran Church. Shirley was also a dancer (tap and ballet) and whenever someone was needed for a fund-raiser show, she always heeded the "let's put on a show" call. She had a great sense of humor, which she kept to the last. Heaven must have needed a funny, tap dancing alto.




Shirley was devoted to her family and she was always willing to help relatives, friends, and neighbors. She was a generous supporter of many charities.




Surviving is her daughter Susan (Davis) Black and her husband Brian of Roanoke, Va.; granddaughter Jessica (Tapp) Firestone and her husband Jon; and great-grandson Ethan. She is also survived by nephews Joseph McArdle (Sandy) and Patrick McArdle (Kathy), niece Kathy (McArdle) Lawlor, nephews-in-law George Zimmerman (Patty) and Joseph Zimmerman (Nancy), and extended family and friends. The family would also like to thank her kind friends in Roanoke and Essington and two special caregivers, Derleen Alexander and Frances Johnson.




A private family graveside service is planned. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at St. John's Tinicum Lutheran Church, 601 Seneca Street, Essington, PA 19029at 1:00 p.m.




In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Tinicum Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.