Shirley Ray Dunlevy passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
Shirley was born Sept. 22, 1936 in Deltaville. She was a member of Philippi Christian Church and a retired government employee.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Charles Wesley Dunlevy Sr.; and her parents, John Washington Weston and Mollie Mason Weston. Her brother, Herman Weston; and sisters, Laura French, Julia Haynes, Effie Ward, Barbara Sibley and Annette Laird also predeceased her.
During July 1968, the U.S. Post Office Department announced they would close post offices across the state. Scheduled for closure was the Syringa Post Office, where Shirley was temporarily employed. She obtained signatures from all of her postal patrons to petition the U.S. Post Office Department to reconsider their decision. A month later orders to close the post office were cancelled by department officials and the post office remained open. Shirley received her official appointment and was commissioned as postmaster of the Syringa Post Office on Oct. 29, 1968 by the U.S. Postmaster General. Shirley continued to work in the post office until she retired Jan. 30, 1987.
Throughout her life Shirley was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her family and enjoyed cooking for and spending time with them. Shirley was a lifelong resident of Middlesex County until she moved to Heritage Green Assisted Living in Mechanicsville, where she received great care and made many friends.
Shirley is survived by her sons, Charles Wesley (Bunny) Dunlevy Jr. (Jan), Keith Harding Dunlevy (Denise), and daughter Sheila Ray Thacker (Robert). Shirley is also survived by six grandchildren, Major Charles Dale Dunlevy (U.S. Army, retired) and wife Amy, Judson Bryce Dunlevy (Caitlin), Donncuan Leo Dunlevy (Kelsey), Lauren Sheal Wells (Jonathan), Eugene Harding Dunlevy (Catherine) and Julian Wesley Thacker (fiancé Kaki Sheffield).
Shirley is also survived by her 15 great-grandchildren, Ariana, Lorien, Brooklyn, Hayden, Laken, Oaktyn, Charlie, Finnegann, Lochlann, Merrick, Ava, twins Emma and Eden, Adalyn, and Elena.
Visitation with family is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home in Saluda. A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. at Philippi Christian Church in Deltaville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Philippi Christian Church, the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department and the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda is assisting the family.
