Shirley Virginia Dickens

Shirley Virginia Dickens, 84, of 303 Baker Street, Suffolk, Virginia passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She was born on December 22, 1940 to the late Mayfield George Dickens and Rose Marie Pope Thurman. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Willie Gardner, daughter Cheryl Gardner, step-sibling Robert Thurman, and great grand-daughter Jurnei Bryant.

Shirley began her education, got married and raised her family in Brooklyn, New York. Desiring a better life for her family, she moved to Virginia in 1973. Shirley worked hard over the years to provide for her family by working at various factories, including Planters Peanuts. She retired from the workforce during her tenure with Suffolk Public Schools where she worked as a custodian at Forest Glen Middle and Nansemond Parkway Elementary Schools from 1985 until 1994.

Shirley Virginia Dickens loved her family more than anything and leaves to cherish her memories a son, Michael Gardner (Barbara), three daughters, Francine Riddick, Renee Folk (Ernest), and Tarshia Gardner all of Suffolk, VA, sister Marva Spooner of Queens, NY, brother William Harrell (Carol) of Lady Smith, VA, step siblings, Mary Wall of Bronx, NY, George Thurman of Bronx, NY, and Edith Porter of Suffolk, VA, 14 grandchildren: Tara Lewis of Portsmouth, VA, Torrence Bryant of Suffolk, VA, Quentina Jones of Norfolk, VA, Eric Mountcastle of Suffolk, VA, Clinton Harrell of Suffolk, VA, Darwnesher Gardner of Brooklyn, NY, LaShawna Gardner-Ross (Derek) of Suffolk, VA, Shavaris Smith of Suffolk, VA, LaToya McGriff (Lanny) of Portsmouth, VA, Shanta Wilson (Worth) of Portsmouth, VA, Shanea Tuggles (Alan) of Beuford, GA, Latonia Artis (Kevin) of Suffolk, VA, Joshua Folk (Ashley) of Portsmouth, VA, and Ryan Ward of Suffolk, VA, 27 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dedicated friends; and a very special best friend, Ethel Rodgers.

Viewing will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in the Melvin Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.