Shirley Mae (Harris) Tharrington

Shirley Mae Harris Tharrington, 96, died January 6, 2022, at her most recent home at Hope Mills Retirement Center in Hope Mills, NC.  Shirley was born in Plymouth, NC in 1925, and was the last surviving member of her childhood family with her mother, father, brothers (Gene and Tommy) and sister (Joyce) preceding her in death.

Shirley met her husband Harold in Rocky Mount, NC on a blind date, and they were married 63 years before Harold died in 2013.  Shirley and Harold moved to Fayetteville, NC literally on the day that Hurricane Hazel came through the area in 1954. They had two children and two rabbits in the car and drove through the hurricane arriving to their new home in Lafayette Village with no electricity (it was the second home built in the development).

In recent years, her daughter Ann and Ann’s husband, Steve Mosier were Shirley’s primary care givers at their home in Grays Creek.  For the last 3 years, Shirley has lived at Hope Mills Retirement Center and was wonderfully cared for by the staff at the center.  The family would like to thank all the staff for their care and love during Shirley’s last years.  Shirley became their family, and they became Shirley’s family.

Shirley was a long-time member of First Christian Church on Fort Bragg Road.  She was a Registered Nurse at Highsmith Rainey Memorial Hospital in Fayetteville for 30 years and was the best wife and mom that anyone could ever hope for. 

Shirley and Harold have 4 children – Harold (Mark), Ann (Steve), Joe (Pam) and Tommy (Amy); 6 grandchildren, Thomas, Kevin, Will, Leigh, Ben, and Cade; and 4 great grandchildren, Kaleb, Ava, Kora and Mattie.

There will be a graveside service at Lafayette Memorial Park at 1:00pm on Sunday January 9, 2022 with Pastor Paul Rowland from First Christian Church officiating.  

Shirley would appreciate memorials made in her name to the First Christian Church, 1505 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville NC 28305

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301. 

Online condolences may be made at http://www.jerniganwarren.com. 

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