Shirley Flemer Obituary

FLEMER, Shirley H., Shirley Hallock Flemer died peacefully at her home, "Ingleside," on April 3, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born in 1926 in Westhampton Beach, Long Island, New York. She graduated from Westhampton Beach High School and attended the University of Kentucky where she majored in animal husbandry.

Shirley's childhood in Westhampton Beach cultivated her lifelong love of the beach and her passion for horses. She met the love of her life, Carl Flemer, through a family friend from Westhampton. Carl persuaded Shirley to marry him and move to Virginia with the promise of buying her a horse - which he did!

Together, Carl and Shirley transformed a tired farm into a large dairy business, then into one of the largest wholesale nurseries on the East Coast. Shirley was also an avid gardener whose flowers and vegetables enriched the lives of her family and friends. But for Shirley, her most important calling in life was her children and grandchildren, who she showered with love and attention.

Shirley was an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oak Grove, VA, where she loved to sing and organized the Christmas pageant and many other special holiday services. Her beautiful voice and attention to detail were noticed by all.

She was predeceased by her husband, Carl F. Flemer, Jr. and her oldest son, Carl F. Flemer III. She is survived by her sister, Sunder Wells of SC; her sister-in-law, Blanche Flemer Gouldman; her daughters Sherri Flemer of Richmond, VA, and Sara Simpson (Kennedy) of Louisville, KY; her sons Douglas Flemer (Nancy) and Chris Flemer (April) of Oak Grove; her grandchildren Bradley Pugh, Douglas Pugh (Brenda), Sara Wright (Rusty), Carlyn Flemer and Jordan Flemer (Bekah), Tierney Jutzi (Joe), Will Simpson (Maggie) and Palmer Simpson (Jessica); and her five great-grandchildren Kira Wright, Maia Wright, Ryan Pugh, Kennedy Jutzi and Owen Simpson.

The family would like to thank all of Shirley's caregivers for their loving care and Matt Bowen, the Ingleside grounds manager, for his devoted service to Shirley.

A private family burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Church Restoration & Rebuilding Fund at www.stpetersoakgrove.org or the Central Virginia Horse Rescue in Fredericksburg, Virginia at www.centralvahorserescue.org.