Shirley Belcher, a 67 year resident of Jacksonville, FL loved her husband Russell, her family and living in the present age. Shirley Marie Thomas was born October 7, 1929 almost 91 years ago, to Evelyn Kagey Thomas and George Wesley Thomas of Raleigh Co. W.Va.  Shirley's father and mother were local civic and business leaders, owning at different times a diner, a gasoline station garage, and a grocery store in the town of Rhodell. Shirley and her brother Bob and sister Pat worked in the Thomas Grocery. Shirley graduated from school early and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and graduated from Marshall University. She was recruited to charter Alpha Xi Delta Women's Fraternity on campus and continued her affiliation as an alumni member. Shirley received a Master in Education Degree from the University of Florida.

Following Shirley's teacher internship, she met Russell at an away high school basketball game.  A friend gave them a ride home in his jeep.  Russell would return to Shirley's home to take her to the next game in his like new Plymouth sedan. She was hired by the Duval County School Board and they put down roots and made Jacksonville their home. They married on July 5, 1952. Her sister Pat and her mother and father would soon move to Jacksonville. Mrs. Shirley Belcher taught at John Gorrie Junior High and at Ribault and Englewood High Schools. She was a member the Education Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi. Their daughter Sandra Kay (Sandi) was born and they lived in a home on Polk Ave. and attended First Methodist and Riverview Methodist Churches.  Her three sons would follow, Russell Thomas (Rusty), Alan Wesley, and Eliot Scott Belcher. Shirley and Russ moved to Arlington when Scott was a baby and where they were a long-life members of Arlington United Methodist Church. Shirley, Russ, Pat, and Dean Belcher founded Beltrac Inc. on Phillips Hwy. with Shirley as the President. Shirley served the University Hospital Auxiliary, and was its President. She enjoyed playing tennis at Hidden Hills CC and she actively participated in the Jacksonville Garden Club. She and Russ for many years spent fall football weekends with Saturday games in Gainesville and Sunday games in Tampa. They were fans of all JU and UF sports, professional baseball, basketball and football.  Shirley and Russ enjoyed sporting events, concerts, and traveling together.

Shirley went on ahead of us to heaven early on the morning of Tuesday, June 9, 2020.   She is the mother of a large family. Here with us are Shirley's sister and husband, Patricia Sue (Pat) and Dean Belcher; daughter Sandra Stone and husband Lewis and grandchildren Alice and husband Brett Jones and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Emmalyn; and grandson Andrew Thomas (Drew) Stone; Son, Rev. Rusty Belcher and his spouse Kathleen (Kathi) Belcher and her grandson Keith and great-granddaughters Naty and Stacy Kathleen; Jonathan and his wife Tracy and great-grandchildren Emily, James, Caroline, and Jack; granddaughter Lauren Russell Belcher Serata and great-grandchildren Grace and Carter Serata; and Shirley's grandchild, Sam Zimmer.  Shirley's son Alan is married to Pamela (Pam) Topping Belcher and her grandchildren are Allison Lynn Belcher; Matthew Thomas (Matt) and wife Katie and two great-grandsons, Cooper and Caleb Causey.  Shirley's son Scott is home with her husband Russell.

Shirley's nephews and nieces are Douglas Dean Belcher and wife Debbie; Mark Lee Belcher and his wife Tina; Niece Tina Thomas, and nephew Tim Thomas. Shirley's brother Robert A. (Bob) Thomas and his son, Terry, have gone ahead of us to heaven.

Arrangements are being made by Arlington Park Cemetery and Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Arlinda Burks of Arlington United Methodist Church officiating.