Shirley Cox Gordon-Lundy

Shirley Cox Gordon-Lundy, of Springfield, VA, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on July 30, 2026 at the age of 91. Born in Mouth of Wilson, VA to the late Dr. Montague and Jessie Gambill Cox on May 29, 1935, Shirley is survived by her loving children—son Raymont Ardith Gordon, daughter Lee Anna and son-in-law Gregg Farrall, daughter Della Kathleen Gordon and son, Paul Gordon and daughter-in-law Emily Claire Steel; by grandchildren Maggie Gordon and partner Courtney Nesmith, Noah Gordon, Marcus Farrall and wife Molly Hill, Gwynn Gordon, and Owen Gordon; great grandchildren Isaac, Asher, Dylan, and Lauren; and many other loving relatives and close friends. She was predeceased by husband of 47 years Robert Eugene Gordon, husband of 5 years Ted Sadler Lundy, and by sisters Nadine Cox Allen, Margaret Cox Ayers, and Polly Cox Harrison. Shirley attended Independence Elementary-High School where she was active in various clubs and playing basketball while working in her father’s dental office after school. She attended Radford College, Emory and Henry College, and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1956 with a BA in Religious Education; earned a Texas teaching certificate; and earned an Associate in Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Bristol Community College, Fall River, Mass. in 1975. In addition to the responsibilities of raising four children and supporting husband Bob’s 33 year-long Navy Chaplain career, she held many careers of her own including Director of Christian Education at John Wesley Methodist Church in Charleston, S.C., real estate agent in Virginia, and dental hygienist in Maryland, Virginia, and Okinawa, Japan. Shirley’s passions in life included giving back to her community, a love of the natural world, gardening, traveling, and exploring history and her family’s genealogy. She was indeed a life-long learner. Although she moved many places in her life, Grayson County, Virginia was always home to Shirley. Some of her many community roles following her retirement to Grayson County were Grayson Bicentennial Committee member; member—New River Community Partners, a grassroots organization dedicated to overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative (AHRI) for the New River Watershed; Vice Chair—Grayson County Democratic Party, and District Officer of the VFW Auxiliary, Lion’s Club, and Grayson County Historical Society. She was elected Chair of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors, helped establish the 1908 Courthouse Museum and the Matthews Living History Farm Museum; secured grants for the Grayson County Enhancement Trail and state historic markers; and edited the Grayson Bicentennial Heritage, Grayson County, Virginia 1793-1995 book published by the 1908 Courthouse Foundation. Shirley served as Chaplain of the New River Pioneer Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and later became a member of the George Mason Chapter. She was a member of the Master Gardeners of the Blue Ridge and the League of Women Voters. Shirley lived a joyous, fulfilling life, touching the lives of everyone she met, and leaving behind a legacy of love and joy. We treasure so many fond memories of her and take comfort knowing she is at peace. Memorial contributions may be made to the Matthews Living Farm Museum at https://www.matthewsfarmmuseum.org/, the New River Conservancy at https://newriverconservancy.org/giving/ or the Historic 1908 Courthouse Foundation at https://historic1908courthouse.org/support-the-foundation/ . A celebration of Shirley’s life is planned for a later date.

Tributes

Shirley Cox Gordon-Lundy

May 29, 1935 - July 30, 2026