Shirley Ann Bartholomew

Shirley Barham Bartholomew entered into eternal peace with our Lord Jesus on September 30, 2017, at her home in Rolesville, NC.  Shirley was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  She was born on June 5, 1936, in Wake Forest, NC to the late Rosanna and George Barham.  She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister Carolyn Journigan, and several beloved brothers and sisters-in-law.  Shirley went to Wake Forest High School, graduated in 1954 and married Richard Bartholomew, her husband of 63 years.  She went on to work for the Employment Security Commission and attended Hardbarger's Business School.  Shirley loyally served our state for 30 years and was conferred the honorable ‘Order of the Long Leaf Pine’ award on October 1, 1985, by Governor James Martin. Shirley was a long-time member of Rolesville Baptist Church.  She faithfully served the Lord there, and so loved her church family.

Shirley became known to her grandchildren and many others as "Nanny."   Nanny was the heart of her family; she wove the tapestry of their story together with her gentle, kind spirit.  Nanny taught her family not only to endure hardships, but to grow stronger through them. This became so evident as she battled a long illness, and then again as her family and friends were called to release her to Jesus. She leaves to all of us her love, her kindness and generosity, her legacy, her story and that will transcend our grief to a sweet gift of joyful remembrance of our Nanny.

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Richard Bartholomew; her son Rick Bartholomew and wife Anya and sister Katya Biadulina, and daughter Pam Godwin; her adored grandchildren Temperance Robancho and husband Ken, Joe Bartholomew and wife Bethany, Anna Corbin and Amy Godwin; her endeared great-grandchildren Camden, Micah, Josiah, Emma, Laney and Harper;  her cherished sister Janice Howard, her dear friend and care-taker Donna Privette, and many treasured nieces, nephews, and in-laws too numerous to list, but so dear to her heart.

Shirley's family will celebrate her life with friends and loved ones on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Rolesville Baptist Church family life center. The funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 at Rolesville Baptist Church, 203 E. Young St., Rolesville, NC 27571. The service will be officiated by Dr. Randy Bridges, Sr. Pastor of Rolesville Baptist Church, and former Sr. Pastor Marshall Neatherly.  Following the church service, Nanny will be laid to rest at Rolesville Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Rolesville Baptist Church Building Fund 203 East Young St. Rolesville, NC 27571 or Transitions LifeCare of Wake County 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC. (919-556-5811).

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