Shirley was born at home in Washington D.C. to William Joseph York and Ila Marie (Hall) York. Later, as a young child at age three she was placed into the home of Howard and Addie Mae Alderman of Carroll County Virginia in the Fremont Community as a foster child. From that day forward they were "Daddy" and "Mommy." She was never adopted, but they loved her, and she loved them more than many "natural" families.
She was a 1956 graduate of Hillsville High School, and shortly after graduation, on October 6, 1956, married Marine Second Lieutenant Michael Garnett McGrady, also of Hillsville. From that moment she was a Marine wife. She spent the next twenty years doing the things that Marine wives do; support their husbands in serving their country until his retirement in April 1976. She resided at several Marine Corps installations, before settling down in Springfield, VA. after her husband’s retirement.
She was a wonderful homemaker and gardener, winning many Garden Club awards on her yard. She was a very understanding and patient woman, and admired for her wonderful "southern" voice and personality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (most of all grandmother) and a close friend to all knew her. She is survived by her husband Michael Garnett McGrady, Major USMC (Ret), also a native of Hillsville, her son, Patrick McGrady and his wife Dawn of Alexandria; her daughter Sheila McGrady Baker and her husband John, of Springfield, Va.; and granddaughters; Julie Baker of Arlington, Va., and Rachel Baker of Fairfax, Va. Shirley also leaves behind a host of friends and relatives that admired and adored her.
She was a 1956 graduate of Hillsville High School, and shortly after graduation, on October 6, 1956, married Marine Second Lieutenant Michael Garnett McGrady, also of Hillsville. From that moment she was a Marine wife. She spent the next twenty years doing the things that Marine wives do; support their husbands in serving their country until his retirement in April 1976. She resided at several Marine Corps installations, before settling down in Springfield, VA. after her husband’s retirement.
She was a wonderful homemaker and gardener, winning many Garden Club awards on her yard. She was a very understanding and patient woman, and admired for her wonderful "southern" voice and personality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (most of all grandmother) and a close friend to all knew her. She is survived by her husband Michael Garnett McGrady, Major USMC (Ret), also a native of Hillsville, her son, Patrick McGrady and his wife Dawn of Alexandria; her daughter Sheila McGrady Baker and her husband John, of Springfield, Va.; and granddaughters; Julie Baker of Arlington, Va., and Rachel Baker of Fairfax, Va. Shirley also leaves behind a host of friends and relatives that admired and adored her.
Shirley was born at home in Washington D.C. to William Joseph York and Ila Marie (Hall) York. Later, as a young child at age three she was placed into the home of Howard and Addie Mae Alderman of Carroll County Virginia in the Fremont Community as a foster child. From that day forward they were "Daddy" and "Mommy." She was never adopted, but they loved her, and she loved them more than many "natural" families.
She was a 1956 graduate of Hillsville High School, and shortly after graduation, on October 6, 1956, married Marine Second Lieutenant Michael Garnett McGrady, also of Hillsville. From that moment she was a Marine wife. She spent the next twenty years doing the things that Marine wives do; support their husbands in serving their country until his retirement in April 1976. She resided at several Marine Corps installations, before settling down in Springfield, VA. after her husband’s retirement.
She was a wonderful homemaker and gardener, winning many Garden Club awards on her yard. She was a very understanding and patient woman, and admired for her wonderful "southern" voice and personality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (most of all grandmother) and a close friend to all knew her. She is survived by her husband Michael Garnett McGrady, Major USMC (Ret), also a native of Hillsville, her son, Patrick McGrady and his wife Dawn of Alexandria; her daughter Sheila McGrady Baker and her husband John, of Springfield, Va.; and granddaughters; Julie Baker of Arlington, Va., and Rachel Baker of Fairfax, Va. Shirley also leaves behind a host of friends and relatives that admired and adored her.
She was a 1956 graduate of Hillsville High School, and shortly after graduation, on October 6, 1956, married Marine Second Lieutenant Michael Garnett McGrady, also of Hillsville. From that moment she was a Marine wife. She spent the next twenty years doing the things that Marine wives do; support their husbands in serving their country until his retirement in April 1976. She resided at several Marine Corps installations, before settling down in Springfield, VA. after her husband’s retirement.
She was a wonderful homemaker and gardener, winning many Garden Club awards on her yard. She was a very understanding and patient woman, and admired for her wonderful "southern" voice and personality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (most of all grandmother) and a close friend to all knew her. She is survived by her husband Michael Garnett McGrady, Major USMC (Ret), also a native of Hillsville, her son, Patrick McGrady and his wife Dawn of Alexandria; her daughter Sheila McGrady Baker and her husband John, of Springfield, Va.; and granddaughters; Julie Baker of Arlington, Va., and Rachel Baker of Fairfax, Va. Shirley also leaves behind a host of friends and relatives that admired and adored her.
