SMITHFIELD—Grace C. Shearin passed away on Oct. 6, 2014, after a short illness. She was the widow of Walter Shearin. A native of Southampton County, she was the eldest of eight children of William Richard and Lina Dundalow Carter.

She retired from the Verizon Telephone Company after 25 years.

Grace was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Wesley Bible Class, United Methodist Women, Nettie Beane Circle and a former member of AARP, Carrollton Chapter 1881, the Bethany Homemakers, Smithfield Woman’s Club, The Isle of Wight Historical Society and the Young At Heart Club, Windsor, Virginia.

Grace was a quiet, kind, faithful and dedicated wife and caregiver to her late husband, Walter H. Shearin. She found great joy in her home and family. She loved flowers, horse racing, animals, bird watching, antiques and flea markets.

Grace had said that many times that the good Lord had given her a long longevity. She loved her Lord Jesus, her church and especially her neighbors.

Grace was preceded in death by her first husband, Elton M. Gwaltney of Chuckatuck, Virginia; two sisters, Mable C. Surace and Lina Sue C. Stephenson; and three brothers, Richard “Pete” Carter, Charles “Charlie Buck” Carter and John S. Carter.

Grace was a thoughtful and remarkable lady, always thinking of others, she was simply unforgettable.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Helen C. Pope of Courtland; brother, Ramon R. Carter and wife, Rose, of Indian Head, Maryland; nieces, Dotti Surace Holland, Debra Carter Bradshaw, Mary Pope Cragett, Becky Pope Mathews and Gail Carter, nephews; Rick Carter, Tony Surace, Dickie Surace, Rob Carter, Philip Surace, David Surace, Jimmie Pope Jr., Johnie Pope and Ramon R. Carter, Jr.; stepdaughter, Evelyn Doggett and two step grandchildren, Susan Doggett and William Doggett.

A celebration of life will be at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Joe Savinsky assisted by Rev. Jeff Cannon. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 201 Cedar St, Smithfield, VA 23430.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Frances Williams and Frances Lankford, her hospice nurse, April Day, and her niece, Dotti S. Holland, for their love and wonderful care given to Grace. All of them made Grace’s life more comfortable during her illness.

Arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield.