Mary Agnes Shaffer Ashby, 91, of 399 Sunnycrest Drive, Martinsville, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the Blue Ridge Rehab Center. She was born in Rockingham County, NC, February 3, 1918 to the late Jesse P. and Lillie Vernon Shaffer. She was instrumental with her husband, the late Rev. George F. Ashby, in establishing Grassy Creek Baptist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher from 1949 to 1961 and enjoyed singing in the choir.
Mrs. Ashby was preceded in death by a step-granddaughter, Tina M. Fantenot.
She is survived by four daughters; Gloria A. Perry, Martha A. Cox and Susan A. Cobler all of Martinsville, and Jane A. Draper of Collinsville; one son, Donald F. Ashby of Martinsville; two sisters, Beatrice Gilley of Collinsville and Margaruitte DeHart of Lynchburg; thirteen grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren , one great-great grandchild, two step-great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010 in the Martinsville Chapel of Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, with members of her family officiating. Burial will be at Roselawn Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 -9:00 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville Chapel, and other times at the home on Sunnycrest Drive. Memorials may be made to The Gideon's International, P.O. Box 1234, Martinsville, VA 24112
On line condolences may be expressed at www.collinsmckeestonefuneralhome.com
Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville Chapel is in charge of arrangements.