Shirley L. Hall, 45, passed away in Norfolk, Virginia on April 22, 2025. A resident of Ahoskie, North Carolina, and for the past 21 years the Latin teacher at Ocean Lakes High School, Shirley has joined her parents, Oscar and Kim Hall, in Heaven. Her grandparents, Dean and Marilyn Hellwarth and Shirley and Ada Hall, also preceded her in death.

Shirley was born in Coldwater, Ohio. She graduated from Jay County High School in 1998 and Indiana State University in 2002. Shirley earned her master’s degree in education from Averett University in 2010. She was a Latin teacher at Pasquotank County High School, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, Shirley accepted the position of Latin teacher at Ocean Lakes High School, where she taught multiple levels of Latin and advised many extracurricular activities such as the Dolphin Dash, Latin Club/Honor Society, Cubing Club, D&D Club, Fandom Club, and Investment club. Shirley was a member of many professional associations, such as Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA), Classical Association of Virgina (CAVA), American Classical League (ACL), Mid-Atlantic Association of Language Learning and Technology, Virginia Junior Classical League and many more.

Shirley was a passionate and devoted Latin teacher whose love for the language was only matched by her unwavering commitment to her students. A multiple-time recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award, she inspired curiosity, built lasting relationships, and made every learner feel seen, valued, and capable. Her impact extended far beyond the classroom, shaping lives with wisdom, grace, and heart.
In her spare time, Shirley devoted herself to events at the high school and spent time with her family and friends. She was an avid fan of movies, especially rom-com movies, listening to audiobooks, and Italian cuisine. Shirley’s family and friends will remember her dedication to her family, commitment to her students, her quirky wit and sense of humor, compassion for others, and her endless faith in God.
Left to cherish her memory are her sister Brandy Barnes (husband Chris) and her nephew Hayden, South Carolina; her significant other, Johnny McClung, North Carolina; and family that is still located in Ohio and Indiana, as well as the faculty, students, and alumni of Ocean Lakes High School.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for the donations to be made to Connect with a Wish, Inc. in Shirley’s memory. You can donate to this website, Connect With a Wish, and add the message: In honor of Shirley Hall. The Dolphin Dash Committee at Ocean Lakes High School, which Shirley has sponsored for the last nine years, has selected this Virginia Beach-based non-profit organization to be the recipient of all funds raised this year through various Dolphin Dash Activities.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Shirley Hall on May 24, 2025 at 11 AM at the auditorium at Ocean Lakes High School. More information to follow.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.hollomon-brown.com

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