Shirley Ann Whisman
May 29, 1935 – May 30, 2024
Shirley Ann Whisman, 89, of Upper Marlboro passed away May 30, 2024 at her home. She was born May 29, 1935 to Charles and Martha Hall. Shirley was raised in Suitland and graduated from Suitland High School. She worked for the federal government at the Navy Yard as a secretary and later went to work with her son, Rick at Forestville Welding and Iron Works. Shirley loved animals, especially her Pomeranian, Beauregard, who acted as a service dog and helped her tremendously during her illness. Shirley was a very family-oriented person and doting grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, antiques, and collecting “pretty” things.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Richard Whisman. She is survived by her children Sharon Renee Mathis of Upper Marlboro, Rick Beavers of Lothian, and Charles Beavers of St. Leonard, and grandchildren Teressa Mullen, Casey Handley, and Jason, Justin, and Jesse Beavers.
Visitation
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Services
- Funeral Service
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
5:00 PM
Interment
- Burial
Thursday, June 20, 2024
1:00 PM
Contributions
Condolences
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3 Jun 2024
6:10pm
My Aunt Shirley had one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever known. She was kind, compassionate, nurturing and loving.
She was my greatest advocate and defender in life. She loved her family and friends, and all nature and animals – from the squirrels, rabbits and deer to her dogs and cats alike – some of which found their way to her home and walked in as if they had always been there.
I remember as a young girl being in awe of her. I thought she was so beautiful and pretty and we had a special connection.
I remember spending weekends with her at her home in Forestville. We would go to the movies, or watch a movie at home, or just sit on the couch where she would show me her bible and talk to me about her faith.
I remember going to craft shows and antiquing with her and my Mom (I looked forward to that every harvest and holiday season and I really miss those days). I remember going to Landover Mall each year to Christmas shop and lunch at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor. Some of my favorite memories growing up.
I loved our adventures together. No matter where we went, we would always get lost, and it would turn into an adventure. I remember one particular occasion when I was in elementary school, our school was being renovated so we were bused to another school in the next town. My Mom would take me and pick me up but had had surgery and was unable to on one particular week. Aunt Shirley took time off from work to take me. I kind of new how to get there – but really didn’t – and, of course, as always, we got lost. We decided to call it a day – I got the day off from school – and we ended up at a restaurant where she ordered us a banana split for breakfast. I think that was when she solidified her position as “favorite aunt”!
A few years ago, on one particular birthday, she gave me the most thoughtful gift. A beautiful Book Shaped Plaque with the poem “I thought of you today”. I keep it on a stand on a table in my entryway. This spoke to me after her passing, and it reads…
“I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.
God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart.”
Aunt Shirley is our angel now in the arms of Jesus who she loved so much. I have no doubt she is in a beautiful, magical place, surrounded by her loved ones who preceded her, watching over all of us. The bible says that we will see each other again in heaven. My prayer and hope is that she is surrounded by loved ones – her brother, Neal, Wally (who she loved like a son and was so worried about), her father, and most of all I hope she has met her mother. She will live on through her beautiful daughter, Sharon, her sons, Rick and Chuck, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
What a beautiful legacy!
City
Crofton
State
MD
10 Jun 2024
3:11pm
Shirley was my best friend for 63 years. She was the sweetest most kind and caring person I have ever known. She was a beautiful and loyal friend. Shirley loved her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. She was so proud of her kids. Her next loves were her cats and dogs. The world will never be the same without Shirley! I miss her dearly. Rest in peace beautiful.
Carol
City
Silver Spring
State
Maryland
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My Aunt Shirley had one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever known. She was kind, compassionate, nurturing and loving.
She was my greatest advocate and defender in life. She loved her family and friends, and all nature and animals – from the squirrels, rabbits and deer to her dogs and cats alike – some of which found their way to her home and walked in as if they had always been there.
I remember as a young girl being in awe of her. I thought she was so beautiful and pretty and we had a special connection.
I remember spending weekends with her at her home in Forestville. We would go to the movies, or watch a movie at home, or just sit on the couch where she would show me her bible and talk to me about her faith.
I remember going to craft shows and antiquing with her and my Mom (I looked forward to that every harvest and holiday season and I really miss those days). I remember going to Landover Mall each year to Christmas shop and lunch at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor. Some of my favorite memories growing up.
I loved our adventures together. No matter where we went, we would always get lost, and it would turn into an adventure. I remember one particular occasion when I was in elementary school, our school was being renovated so we were bused to another school in the next town. My Mom would take me and pick me up but had had surgery and was unable to on one particular week. Aunt Shirley took time off from work to take me. I kind of new how to get there – but really didn’t – and, of course, as always, we got lost. We decided to call it a day – I got the day off from school – and we ended up at a restaurant where she ordered us a banana split for breakfast. I think that was when she solidified her position as “favorite aunt”!
A few years ago, on one particular birthday, she gave me the most thoughtful gift. A beautiful Book Shaped Plaque with the poem “I thought of you today”. I keep it on a stand on a table in my entryway. This spoke to me after her passing, and it reads…
“I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.
God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart.”
Aunt Shirley is our angel now in the arms of Jesus who she loved so much. I have no doubt she is in a beautiful, magical place, surrounded by her loved ones who preceded her, watching over all of us. The bible says that we will see each other again in heaven. My prayer and hope is that she is surrounded by loved ones – her brother, Neal, Wally (who she loved like a son and was so worried about), her father, and most of all I hope she has met her mother. She will live on through her beautiful daughter, Sharon, her sons, Rick and Chuck, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
What a beautiful legacy!
Shirley was my best friend for 63 years. She was the sweetest most kind and caring person I have ever known. She was a beautiful and loyal friend. Shirley loved her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. She was so proud of her kids. Her next loves were her cats and dogs. The world will never be the same without Shirley! I miss her dearly. Rest in peace beautiful.
Carol