Shirley Ann Nichols Flanagan,92, went to her heavenly home on January 10, 2023, after a short illness.  She was surrounded by loving family and friends.  Preceding her in death were her parents, Charles and Carrie Nichols, brothers Charles, Douglas, and Kenneth, and sister Rebecca, cherished sisters in law, all from Somerset County, MD, where Shirley had a loving and happy childhood.  Also preceding her in death was her cherished husband of 47 years, Robert “Buck” Flanagan, whom she met at Ferrum College in 1947.

Surviving Shirley are her 6 children, John Flanagan (Mark Turner) of Roanoke, Charles Flanagan (Dr. Ray Galloway) of Salem, David Flanagan (Dr. Barbara Flanagan) of Macon, GA, Ginny Williams (Doug) of Glenvar, Kara Flanagan-Pichler (Jeff) of Bremerton, WA, and Dr. Kim Lower (Randy) of Roanoke.  Also left to cherish her memory are grandchildren Caitlin Flanagan (Dr. Laura Soulsby), Caroline and LeeAnne Lower, Sophie and Nicholas Williams, Robyn Woller, and Shay Pichler.  Also surviving are many loved nieces and nephews.

Shirley and Buck raised their large family in Prince George’s County, MD, where she worked as the registrar at Friendly High School.   In 1982, they moved to Roanoke to be closer to Buck’s childhood home of Alleghany County and many special cousins.  They became active members of Greene Memorial Methodist Church.  Shirley enjoyed a career in real estate in Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake before retiring to a life of volunteering at soup kitchens and women’s shelters and serving as an officer of the local chapter of the UMW.  She became a member of the Board of Trustees at Ferrum College, which always held a special place in her heart.

She was a kind and generous woman who will be missed by family, friends and all who knew her. 

Visitation will be Friday, January 13th at Oakey’s South from 6:00 to 8:00pm.  A memorial service will be at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church Saturday, January 14th at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Greene Memorial United Methodist Church or the Robert and Shirley Flanagan Award at Ferrum College.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at TerraBella at Pheasant Ridge.