Shirley Harmon Ware

Shirley Harmon Ware went home on Angels wings on July 6, 2023.

A memorial service celebrating her life, will be held at Honea Path Presbyterian Church, 106 Church St., Honea Path, SC at 2:00 PM, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 preceding the service. Memorials may be made to: Honea Path Presbyterian Church, 106 Church St., Honea Path, SC 29654.

Shirley was born to Jesse T. and Bonnie Steele Harmon on October 16, 1935, in West Columbia, South Caroliina. As a child, she loved new adventures and even traveled alone, by train, to visit her great aunt and uncle in a nearby town, while under the watchful eye of her great uncle who worked for the railway. She also loved to hang out with her older brother who would throw rocks at her to try and deter her from following him but due to her sheer determination, he would ultimately allow her to join in his activities. When she reached high school, she played on the girls’ basketball team her freshman year.

During her junior year in high school, she met the man she would later marry who was attending Clemson University. Once he graduated from college and entered the military, they both went their separate ways until the year 1986 when they met again at a board meeting and rekindled their relationship and married in 1989. After high school, Shirley entered USC School of Nursing, all the while bowling on a league for years, honing her skills at shooting pool, and dancing to shag music.

Once she had her daughter, her life changed, and she became totally immersed in her daughter’s school activities and teenage years. In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Shirley also was employed as an Executive Financial Manager at SC Lung Association until her retirement 28 years later in 1992. After she married the true love of her life, she once again spread her wings of adventure and traveled all over the world with her husband and chuckled at times that they spent money like “drunken sailors” while visiting New Zealand.

She was a voracious reader with an infectious laugh, life of the party, extremely independent, an exceptional cook, impeccable dresser, loved gardening and an active member of the Women’s Garden Club and served as President in years past. She was also a lifelong member of the Eastern Star.

Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She actively served on the Women’s Circle at her local church, volunteered on many different occasions with the church for various events. She remained loyal to her church until her passing.

Shirley joins her parents, Jesse T. and Bonnie, her brother, Jack and a stepdaughter, Lisa, in Heaven. She is survived by her beloved husband, Gene Ware, her sister, Jacqueline McRae and her children, Joni (Mike), Richard (stepson), her step grandson, Michael, and many nieces and nephews.

Inurnment will be at Celestial Memorial Gardens, West Columbia, SC July 20, 2023, at 3:00 P.M.  The Cremation Service of South Carolina (Greenville) and The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation Services are assisting the family.

Online condolences may be made to the Ware family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.