Shirley Mae Bowdry Pegram, 79, of Chesapeake departed from this life with love and comfort on August 28, 2022, at home with her family. She was born on May 3, 1943, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Essie Mae and Terry Bowdry.
Shirley attended Portsmouth Public Schools and aspired to become a teacher at a very young age. She would always say, “I am a born teacher.” She attended the Virginia State College, Norfolk Division where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Later, she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Urban Education which helped to further her career in education. Shirley briefly taught in Chesapeake Public Schools and spent the remainder of her career working in Norfolk Public Schools where she advanced from teacher to assistant principal and principal. She was named “Teacher of the Year” and received the School Bell Award multiple times. Shirley loved to work in the schools that had the greatest need. Shirley served at several elementary schools including Carver, Robert E. Gatewood, Stuart School, Coleman Place, Tidewater Park, Tucker, Diggs Park, Granby, Lindenwood and Campostella.
Shirley was a Charter Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter. During her career, she also participated in several organizations such as the Urban League, Les Gemmes, National Education Association, National Principals’ Association and Meals on Wheels.
She met her future husband, Clarence in October of 1961; they married November 26, 1964. From this union, they had three loving children Vinesha, Clarence and Tinesha.
Shirley enjoyed helping others, reading books and discussing them with her friends, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and meditating. Her favorite “home away from home” was Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA. Shirley traveled to Lagos, Nigeria to fulfill a childhood dream. She opened her home to foreign exchange students from Africa who would have a place to call home until they completed their studies. Shirley loved laughing and joking with her family members, watching the airplanes arrive and depart from the airport, going to the park, sitting on the bench at Waterside and celebrating every holiday. She taught her natural children and her school children to do random acts of kindness.
¨Ms. Shirley’s¨ Favorites:
Place: Kingsmill Resort
Hobby: Reading and traveling
Food: Seafood
Drink: Dirty Martini or an Old Fashion
Color: Hot pink, black and purple
Quote: ¨Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance¨
Holiday: Christmas
Greatest Accomplishment: Fulfilling God’s purpose
Shirley would always use a person’s name to list characteristics to describe them. So this one is for Shirley:
S – Spiritual and strong
H – Humble and helpful
I – Introspective and inspirational
R – Rebellious and radiant
L – Loving and loyal
E – Effervescent and empathetic
Y – Youthful and yielding
Shirley is survived by her husband Clarence, E. Pegram, Jr. of 57 years, her children Vinesha C. Pegram, Clarence E. Pegram III (Aisha) and Tinesha Pegram Lamb (Jean-Pascal) and her granddaughters Madison Pegram and Lauryn Lamb. She also leaves cherished extended family and friends Ricky Simon (Elnora), Beverly Willie, Barbara Broadnax, Diane Boyd, Gay Melvin, Stevie Melvin, Tia Melvin, Trinity Melvin, Katrina Melvin, Marion Faygon, Bria Faygon, Morgan Faygon, Ricky Simon, Jr., James Brown (Eunique) and Aaron Hines and the Maiden Lane Family: Edith Lee, Tamatha Hall (Kevin), Laiya Hall, Solomon Hall, the Smileys, the Harris’, the Boltons, the Miles, the Koons and the Taylors.
Shirley was preceded by her mother Essie Mae Wilson Bowdry, father Terry Bowdry, her aunts Martha Simon and Ruthie Jones, her uncle Raymond Payne and Robert Wilson, brothers William Wesley Melvin (Gay) and James Henry Melvin, and nephews Gregory Jones and Osborne Simon.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Shirley B. Pegram to:
American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 6704
Hagerstown, MD 21741
Condolences(19)-
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Dr. Sylvia E. Spratley says
August 31, 2022 at 8:22 pmTo The Family of Shirley Bowdy Pegram: My condolence to you for the loss your dear Shirley. May God continue to bring comfort to you during this difficult time. I will continue to lift your family up in prayer!
Dr. Sylvia E. Spratley
Hampton, Virginia
Jacqueline McMillan says
August 31, 2022 at 9:40 pmDear Soror Vinesha (and Family).
I grieve with you as you prepare to say goodbye to your beloved mother. Please know that I am praying for strength and peace for you and for all who loved Soror Shirley Bowdy Pegram.
Soror Jacqueline McMillan
Brookville, Ohio
Shanda Johnson Bennett says
September 1, 2022 at 12:13 pmDear Tinesha Vinesha and Clarence “Pooh” you are I’m my prayers. I’m praying for your strength! 🙏 🙏
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Edmonds, Sr. says
September 1, 2022 at 9:08 amWe are sending our condolences to the Family of Shirley Pegram. May she rest in eternal peace. To Clarence Jr., her loving and devoted son, you always showed your love for her in many ways. May God be with you and your family during this time of sadness.
Glenda Braswell Moore says
September 1, 2022 at 1:00 pmMy dear Maiden Lane Neighbors,
May God’s .loving presence and perfect peace restore you. We pray that .His promise of eternal life sustain you during this most difficult time of loss of your precious mother and wife. We will keep you in our prayers. (Glenda, Aundi, and Daryl Moore)
Soror Cheryl Chew-Render says
September 2, 2022 at 11:52 amTo my dearest Soror Vinesha and her family,
It is my prayer that God provides peace, comfort, and strength as you all prepare to say goodbye to your dear mother. Soror Shirley has earned her wings and is resting peacefully with our Heavenly Father.
Marion Edwards says
September 5, 2022 at 1:08 pmMy deep heart condolences to my sister/friend’s family. I will truly miss Shirley, we had great talks about life and God’s word. May God provide strength, comfort & peace to her family. Blessings and much love to you all.
Melvin Norman says
September 5, 2022 at 11:38 pmWe, the Chesson Family, offer our heartfelt condolences to the Pegram family. Continue to trust God as you go through this bereavement. Always keep your precious memories of your wife, and mother dear to your heart.
Eleanor Hargrove Bell says
September 6, 2022 at 4:30 pmTo a friend from the age of 5, high school, college and early married years, Shirley was truly a lovely and caring person. Through the years we lost touch until we reunited a monumental class reunion. What a joyous reunion that was! To the family, my prayers are with each of you. Know that she is now at rest.
Michael Lewis says
September 8, 2022 at 7:13 amTo Tinesha, Vinesha and Father Clarence my condolences go out to all. Shirley will be physically missed but, not missed in Spirit. GOD has her now and forever… Love to the Pegram Family
John and Margaret Coleman says
September 9, 2022 at 2:54 pmTo the Pegram family.
With caring thoughts, our heartfelt prayer is meant simply to say, may God bless, comfort, and strengthen you each and every day!
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Romans 12:12
God bless you.
Gay and family says
September 10, 2022 at 10:50 amTo my family
Please know that l am with you in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay strong and take care of each other. We all love you.
Pat & Andre' Cheatham says
September 8, 2022 at 12:17 pmMy condolences to the Pegram family. Mrs. Pegram was my 1st Principal I worked under coming into the NPS. She was a great person always caring for others. Praying strength and peace for the Family. Rest in Heaven Mrs. Shirley.🙏🏽❤️
Wilbert A McCoyJr says
September 8, 2022 at 4:09 pmMy condolences to my UAW brother and his family
Joseph Goodrich says
September 8, 2022 at 8:45 pmGod will bless your family
Beverly Cobb Chamblee says
September 9, 2022 at 9:29 amTo Tinesha Lamb and family,
You have my sincerest condolences and prayers at this difficult time. May the fond memories you shared with your mom stay with you for a lifetime. A mother’s love is so dear and profound. I pray God strengthens and comforts you as only He can.
Sincerely,
Beverly C. Chamblee
Lizzie says
September 10, 2022 at 12:32 amThank you so much Tinesha for allowing me to take care of Ms. Shirley. She was so kind and welcoming to me as were you. I only wish I had known your mama longer. She was a Taurean, as I. I will forever remember our girl talks and gossip sessions. You and your family made me feel like family when I was at my loneliness. I will always remember each of you. Thank you all and may my girl, Ms. Shirley, the prettiest lady in all of Va, be in the best of places. May you all be at peace in knowing that death is not the end but the beginning…
Phyllis D. Crudup for the 1961 Graduating Class of I. C. Norcom says
September 10, 2022 at 1:15 pmTo the family of Shirley Bowdry Pegram.
The 1961 graduating class of I. C. Norcom High School, of which Shirley was a member, was very saddened to hear of her passing. For losing a classmate is like losing a family member. We were family and still are family.
May God continue to keep you in His care and hold you close as you “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”. Knowing that God can do this for you and other things. Just continue to trust and lean on Him.
Our prayers are with you.
The 1961 Graduating Class of I. C. Norcom High School.
Mary Allen says
October 12, 2022 at 9:03 pmMy sincere condolences on the death of your mother, Shirley. I will always remember her kindness and loving manner. I can picture her smiling face. May God bless and keep your entire family in loving embrace.
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