AlleghanyJournal.com's Facebook Page | Journal Buy/Sell Free Classifieds
Back To The Journal's Home Page

Alleghany Journal Obituaries are sponsored by...

VIDEO
* * * * *
Get Obituary Information Emailed To You Via Our AlleghanyJournal.com Breaking News Alerts System - click here or visit our Facebook Page for updates.
NEW: Journal Video Slideshows May Accompany Any Obituary - click here for details.
Obituaries

Obituary for James Elmo Shires, Jr. James Elmo Shires, Jr.
West Virginia Native Was World II, Korea War Veteran; Was Former Postal Worker And Iron Gate Town Mayor

James Elmo Shires, Jr., age 91, of 405 Commerce Street, Iron Gate, Virginia, died Monday, February 24, 2014 at Brian Center Assisted Living in Low Moor.

He was born April 2, 1922 in Alderson, West Virginia, to the late James Elmo Shires, Sr. and Nell Rose Neel Shires.

He attended Berea College in Kentucky and was a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

He began his military career in the United States Army, where he served in World War II, then continued to serve his country in the United States Air Force during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as Senior Master Sergeant.

Following his retirement, he worked for the U.S. Post Office in Covington.

He was a former mayor of the town of Iron Gate, also serving on the town council, and was a member of Iron Gate United Methodist Church, where he fulfilled various offices within the church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his uncle, Reverend L. S. Shires and aunt, as well as foster mother, Louise Lowman Shires, who raised him in their home.

Also preceding him in death were two sisters, Alma Starcovic and Elizabeth Belle Campbell; three sisters-in-law, Helen Lowman Metz, Ida Lowman Whitaker and Lillian Lowman Fitch; and three brothers-in-law, Carl Lowman, Clarence Lowman and James Lowman.

He is survived by his wife, Lillie Lowman Shires of Iron Gate, a sister-in-law, Stella Unroe Lowman of Clifton Forge; and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mountain Regional Hospice and Brian Center Assisted Living for their generous care.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Iron Gate United Methodist Church with Reverend Lester Kennedy and Reverend W. Pembroke Hall officiating.

Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge.

Mr. Shires' great nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert L. Clark, Charlie Dodd, Don Roberts, Jimmy Jeffries, Calvin Griffin and Donald Simmons.

The family received friends on Wednesday evening at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and will at other times at the residence. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Iron Gate Methodist Church, P. O. Box 190, Iron Gate, VA 24448, or to Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.