Shirley Karriker's Obituary
Mooresville- While our family reunions here on earth will never be the same without her, we know the one our mother and grandmother is having in heaven right now is one for the ages. We close our eyes and we can envision it—her beloved husband, John, and her baby girl, Ginger, meeting her when she got there, taking her hand to lead her to meet Jesus. The reunion with her sisters, Allie and Faye, was likely a loud one—full of laughter, each one of them talking over the other, eager to catch up on the time they’ve missed together.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Shirley Primm Karriker, 88, surrounded by those who loved her most, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Born November 11, 1932 in Mecklenburg County, Shirley was retired from EDS in Charlotte after many years of service. A 1950 graduate of Cornelius High School, she was the daughter of the late Ernest McLain and Annie Brown Primm. Following the Korean War in 1953, she eloped to South Carolina with her sweetheart, Billy Julius (John) Karriker, who preceded her in death in 1986. Their daughter, Virginia Dawn (Ginger), passed away after a brief illness in 1958.
Until her decline in health, Shirley was an active member of Shearer Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed her Seekers Sunday school class, Tuesday morning ladies circle, Women in the Church (WIC), Friday night singings, and the seniors group, with whom she regularly traveled—something she loved to do. For many years, it was a common joke among our family that you needed an appointment to visit with her—she might be in Blowing Rock with her sisters, in Nashville with lifelong friends, or at the beach with family.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Johnny (Karen) Karriker of Sherrills Ford, and two daughters—Rhonda (Jerry) Hathcock of Denver and Sherri (Jimmy) Gurley of China Grove. Her six grandchildren—Dawn (Jonathan) Creason, Stephanie (Charlie) Kirkpatrick, Julia (Curtis) Starnes, Ann (Caleb) Sparks, Justin Karriker, and Taylor (Timothy) Jarman—will especially miss summer evenings making homemade ice cream at her house, her sweet potato pie at holidays, and her hollow, but memorable threats to discipline them when they were children. Easter egg hunts after lunch on Easter Sunday will hold a special place in her whole family’s hearts, including her 10 great-grandchildren, Morgan & Maddox Creason, Kaitlyn & Maggie Hicks, Mason Starnes, Trenton & Lylah Richardson, Gunner & Finley Sparks, and Delaney Karriker.
Though she is gone, her legacy of loving us unconditionally will live on through the fond memories shared by all who knew and loved her. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 2pm at Shearer Presbyterian Church with Dr. Steve Stout officiating. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 2pm at the church. Interment will follow the service at Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church. We respectfully ask visitors to please follow appropriate COVID protocol.
Our family offers our sincerest thanks to Dr. Matt MacDonald and the team of compassionate and caring individuals from hospice, especially Jennifere and Kelly, who helped care for our mother and grandmother. To honor her, please consider a memorial gift to either Novant Health Hospice, 1229 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, NC 28144 or to The American Cancer Society.
To our moma and mamaw—we will miss you every day, but we are so thankful you are whole once again and are reunited with our daddy and papaw. May the yellow roses be even more fragrant and beautiful, may the pineapple taste a bit sweeter, and may all your birthdays be your 29th. Please tell Conway we said, ‘hello’.
This obituary was lovingly written by her family.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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