Blacksburg - Shirley Gordon Glisson, age 90, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, in Ruston, Louisiana.
She was born on March 9, 1936, in Blacksburg, South Carolina, to William "Bill" Gordon and
Delma Welchel Gordon. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 63
years, Dr. Lawrence Milton Glisson; and her sister, Margaret Louise Vassy.
Shirley is survived by her two children, Margaret Glisson Sollod (Barry New), and Dr. William
Bradley Glisson (Janet Glisson), her grandchildren, Chelsea Kumbroch (David), Tyler Brentzel
(Hayden), Mackenzie Kitchens (Drew), Parker New, Conner New, Phillip Ryan Sollod, brother-
in-law Benjamin David Vassy, nephew Eric Vassy, along with her other cherished extended
family.
Shirley began her career as a Registered Nurse in 1957. Her distinguished career includes
working in private doctors' offices, hospitals, and emergency rooms in Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Georgia. She demonstrated a natural compassion for others and a strong
dedication to her work. She often shared stories from her nursing days, as well as memories of
her childhood growing up in Blacksburg, where her family lived above her father's funeral
home.
Later in life, she returned to school and earned her bachelor's degree in business from Averett
University, then went on to work as a bookkeeper, where her attention to detail and strong work
ethic were deeply valued.
She enjoyed a wide range of interests, including discussing politics, listening to music, dancing,
painting, and working on puzzles.
In her later years, Shirley made her home in Ruston, Louisiana, where she lived with her son, Dr.
William Bradley Glisson, and his wife, Janet. She valued the time spent together and especially
treasured the many trips they took as a family to the beach, one of her favorite places.
Above all, Shirley will be remembered for her strength, her intelligence, her gift for storytelling,
and the deep love she had for her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved
her, and remembered for a life filled with love, laughter, and a heart that never hesitated to
follow where it led.
A visitation will be held at Gordon Mortuary, 400 West Cherokee Street, Blacksburg, SC, on April 24 from 11:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. graveside service at Clingman Memorial Gardens, 1219
East Cherokee Street, Blacksburg, SC 29702.

The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary.com

The Blacksburg location of Gordon Mortuary is serving the Glisson family.