Shirley Virginia Kell DeRoco

Shirley Virginia Kell DeRoco was born in Nathalie, Virginia on August 4, 1940, the youngest daughter of Virginia and Howard Kell. She lost her father to cancer when she was two years of age. Shirley, her sister Jane, and their mother spent the next eight years living with other family members and relying on the care and support of their church community. During this time, Shirley, her mother, and her sister learned that God does take special care of widows and orphans. Shirley attended Bluefield College and graduated from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond in 1962 with a degree in sociology. She went on to teach in schools in Virginia and Rhode Island, eventually becoming a therapist for students with learning differences.

Shirley is survived by her sister Jane and her two children and their spouses: Chris DeRoco (Rebekah) and Teresa “Teri” Cupit (Chris). She was immensely proud of her eight grandchildren: Lauren, Abby, Mia, Kate, Tess, Ginny, Josh, and Colin. She treasured time spent with them and especially enjoyed the times when they would read to her, watch movies, play games like Upwords or Bananagrams, and build puzzles with her. 

Having spent much of her life living in Chesapeake, Virginia, she moved to Richmond in 2010 and, in many ways, the last 15 years were the happiest and strongest years of her life. She lived in her son’s neighborhood where she was able to help with reading lessons for her granddaughters, as well as driving them to school and sports events, babysitting, and keeping her favorite granddog, Clifford, when the family needed to travel. She enjoyed frequent visits from her daughter, son-in-law, and their children. Shirley also had a remarkable number of friends, old and new, and many children besides her family members called her “Grandma.” She was generous with her money and her home and liked to help people in need. She was embraced by the leaders and members of Redemption Hill Church, which became a primary source of spiritual growth and encouragement. At Redemption Hill, she was a member of a multi-age community group and was part of a women’s group called “The Golden Girls” that met at her house weekly for Bible Study and fellowship. From her earliest days, she saw herself as a vulnerable and needy person but, through the Lord’s help, she became strong and hopeful.

Her life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service at Redemption Hill Church in Richmond, Virginia at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.