Shirley Lacy Henderson age 81 of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 in the Forsyth Medical Center.

Mrs. Henderson was born on January 20, 1933 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to Emmett Howell Lacy, Sr. and Priscilla Burton Lacy. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband James Edward "Skip" Henderson, her son Samuel Lacy McAlpine and her brother Emmett Howell Lacy, Jr..

She graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C..
She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as president of her nursing class. Shirley also graduated from the Winston-Salem Baptist Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse. During her nursing career, Shirley was employed as a private duty nurse in hospitals and finally as an industrial nurse for the Sara Lee Corporation in Galax, Va. from which she retired in 1991. Shirley enjoyed almost 25 years of retirement with her devoted husband of thirty-four years James E. "Skip" Henderson.

Shirley was very musically talented as well. As a very young lady she played piano, guitar and mandolin. She also played French horn in the Winston-Salem Symphony before she began her nursing career.

Shirley was a member of the Galax Presbyterian Church; she had a great love for the church and her fellow members. She was active in the choir and served happily for the past 35 years that she resided in Galax.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary McAlpine Clanton and husband David R. Clanton of Galax, a son Thomas Eugene McAlpine and special friend Marian Sandra Wrenn of Greenville, S.C.; son Robert Michael McAlpine of Galax. There are two granddaughters, Boyce Lacy Burnett of Radford, Va. and Cassidy Diane McAlpine of Arden, N.C.. There is also a sister-in-law, Sally B. Lacy of Winston-Salem, N.C. and a cousin Ray S. Jones of Apex, N.C. and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Allan and Alice Lou Kjeldsen of Roanoke Va.. There are several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the Galax Presbyterian Church with Dr. Tom Whartenby officiating. The family will greet friends in the dining area of the Galax Presbyterian Church after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Galax Presbyterian Church, 200 West Center Street, Galax, Virginia 24333 or to the charity of the donor's choice.