Shirley Lee Harris Valentine

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, God called Deaconess Shirley Lee Harris Valentine into eternal rest in Richmond, Virginia.

Born in Bracey, Virginia on February 16, 1937, she was the beloved daughter of the late William Harris and Cleo Roberta Alexander Harris. Shirley attended James Solomon Russell High School in Brunswick County. Shirley attended Holy Grove Baptist Church where she remained until she relocated to Richmond with her husband, Junious Hezekiah Valentine, to whom she married on May 17, 1955, and was married 64 years prior to his death.

In November 1972, she joined St. Stephens Baptist Church, where she served in the choir, the deaconess ministry and the kitchen ministry. Shirley had a love for caring for others so she pursued her nursing certificate from the career training Institute in Richmond, Virginia in June of 1968, and began her career at Stratford Hall Nursing Center, where she worked until her health began to fail.

Shirley loved to dress and look good. She would strut to the bus stop, hair in place, her uniform would be crisp white and starched. If there was one spot on that uniform, we would have to get out the bed and rewash it, (by hand on washboard) She was a stickler for “looking your best”.

Shirley’s greatest joy was her children. She loved family gatherings; her traditional Christmas Eve Dinners was the highlight. When her health began to decline, she became a resident of The Laurels of Bon Air Nursing Center, where she resided until her passing. She found a love for playing board games, completing the seek and-find, watching her soap operas and reading her Bible.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and devotion through her six children, two sons, Nelson Valentine (Deborah) and Gerald Valentine (Antonia; four daughters, Miranda Valentine-Fife, Jean Davis (Kelvin), Tracey Dean (Morris), and Jennifer Valentine; two brothers, Sollie Raymond Harris and Carnell Harris (Mary); predeceased brother, Milton Harris; one sister, Virginia Ayala; one sister in-law, Doris Valentine; several grand and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and one devoted, Johnnie Mae Hall.