Shirley Allen George Martin: Loris

1934 – 2017

    Shirley Allen George Martin of Loris, age 82, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Compass Health Care in Conway. She was 82.
    Mrs. Martin was born on Nov. 21, 1934 in Whiteville, a daughter of the late Dewey Jessie Allen and the late Rosalie Simmons Allen. Shirley was a beautiful dancer, acrobat, majorette, “Miss Strawberry Festival” Queen, and runner-up to Miss North Carolina in 1953. Mrs. Martin was a retired middle school teacher at Loris Middle School, a proud member of the Loris Garden Club, McLeod Medical Center’s Auxiliary, and a longtime active member of Loris First Baptist Church.
    Survivors include her three loving daughters, Gayle George of Lafayette, Lousianna, Joni George DerCola of Clyde, New York and Cristi George of Loris; four grandchildren, Charles Jake DerCola, Mark Nicholas DerCola, Katherine Durel and Courtney Volpe; one great-grandson, Vincente Levi DerCola and a special aunt, Rita Collins of Charlotte.
    In addition to her parents, Mrs. Martin was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Raymond “Sonny” George, her second husband, John Martin and her brother, Harold Wayne Allen.
    Visitation was planned from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Hardwick Funeral Home and again from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Loris First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
    Funeral services were planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Loris First Baptist Church, with committal services following at Whiteville Memorial Cemetery in Whiteville.
    Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Avenue North Myrtle Beach SC 29577 or to the Loris First Baptist Church Choir, 3117 Main Street, Loris, SC 29569.
    The family wishes to express their appreciation to Agape Hospice for their loving care, Leuvinia Green, and Jeanne and Neal Turner for their love and support over the years.
    A guest register is available here.