Viola Strickland Shafer

Lillie Viola Strickland “Vi” Shafer, of Concord, North Carolina, passed peacefully into the arms of the
Lord Jesus on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Vi was born on her family’s farm in Loris, South
Carolina on July 17, 1927 to John Robert Strickland and Lillie Belle Strickland. She was preceded in
death by her parents, her 9 brothers and sisters, her daughter-in-law,
Elaine Yarborough Shafer, and her husband of 57 years, Lt. Col. Philip Stuart Shafer.

Vi is survived by her four children and their spouses: Douglas Shafer (Debra) of Concord, North
Carolina, Robert Shafer (Mary Maude) of Little Rock, Arkansas, Joan Shafer Todd (Jack) of
Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Carolyn Shafer Hensel (Steven) of Concord, North Carolina. She is
also survived by 13 grandchildren: Paul, James, and John Shafer, and Mary Jane Fernandez; Laura
Sanders, Catherine Paulus, Philip Shafer, and Sarah Sells; Emily, Susan, and Anna Todd; and Katie
and James Hensel; and by 7 great-grandchildren: Isaac, Benjamin, Adah, Charlotte, and Scyld Shafer, Lillie Virginia Sanders, and James Paulus.

Vi graduated from Green Sea High School in Horry County, South Carolina in 1944 and from Worth
Business College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She enjoyed a brief career as a bookkeeper for Ed
Fleishman & Brothers and later for Greenscape Landscaping, both in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
However, her primary and most significant career was that of a loving and supportive companion to
Philip through multiple military assignments, his doctorate, pastorate, and other career moves. Vi met
her “one and only” at the Officers Club of Pope Air Force Base in 1948, married in New York City in
1949, and enjoyed a long, happy marriage until Philip’s death in June of 2006. She was also an
attentive, encouraging mother, always providing a listening ear and Godly direction to her children,
their friends, and her grandchildren. She taught Child Evangelism, then later taught a women’s Bible
study class for many years at Fort Bragg.

Having been raised in a farming family, she was immensely practical, hardworking, and industrious,
learning to cook and sew at a young age, and continuing to use these skills joyfully throughout her
married life. Those who knew her well remember that she loved gardening, reading, needlework,
puzzles, playing games with her kids and grandkids, singing, telling stories of her childhood and
family life, and sharing and illustrating the love of God with everyone she met. Her sweet and
vivacious spirit will be greatly missed but dearly remembered by the many lives she touched.

A memorial service to celebrate Vi’s life will be held at Zoan Methodist Church, 12345 Hwy 19 West,
Loris, South Carolina on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 2:30 pm, followed by a private burial the next
day, December 5, 2015 at 2:30 pm at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke, Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to, StoneBridge Presbyterian Church, 3700 Prosperity Church Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269.