Frances L. Shirley Scruby, age 98, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 27, 2023. Born on July 29, 1924, she was the daughter of the late parents Clara Gray and Conrad Bowen Shirley of Greenwood, Virginia.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Ralph Edwin Scruby, her sisters Eugenia and Julia, and her brother William. She is survived by her sons Brian and Tim, Tim’s wife Alice; her grandchildren Emily and David Irvine, and Lucas and Emily Scruby; and her great grand-children Ayda, Lydia, Eliza, Aaron, and Jackson.
Many people knew Frances by her lifelong nickname, “Jack” which she acquired in childhood.
She graduated from Greenwood High School, attended Mary Washington College and later in life received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mary Baldwin College adult education program.
She was first employed by Benger Research Laboratory at DuPont Co. in Waynesboro, and later helped found the Greenwood Arts and Craft Fair, was employed by the federal organization Handicraft Marketing Sales, and worked as an administrator at Alternatives for Abused Adults in Staunton.
She was a lifelong parishioner and served on the Vestry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood. She loved history and the history of Greenwood, her childhood home in western Albemarle County, VA. She helped conceive and establish the Greenwood – Afton Rural Historic District encompassing areas in rural Albemarle, Augusta, and Nelson Counties.
She authored several publications, including an article, Nancy Astor, A Sportswoman Unsung, and a book, Neve: Virginia’s Thousandfold Man.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of her caregivers.
A funeral service will be conducted at Emmanuel Church in Greenwood on Monday, March 6. The service will be followed by a graveside service and a reception in the Parish Hall.
The Reverend John Thomas will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Bread fund or the Waynesboro First Aid Crew.
