Shirley Ann Payton VanDyke died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, sharing memories, on July 9, 2023, at the age of 79.

She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on November 15, 1943, to the late Howard Shirley Payton and Emma Gurtrude Callahan Woodard. Shirley stayed home to raise her children and then worked in a couple restaurants, Bali for several years, then two nursing homes after retiring.

Shirley loved working in the yard and keeping her garden up, and enjoyed and made a big deal of family get-togethers. She knew family was very important to her, and she also loved going to the beach.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death two years ago by her husband of 53 years, Wayne VanDyke; a daughter, Terry Lawson; and a sister, Sheila Robbins.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jeffery Buck, Rodney Buck (Marla), and Patricia Roberts (Rodney); grandchildren, Gwendolyn Browning (Johnathan), Jessica Cash (Camrick), Bradley Buck (Jody), Kyle Buck, Emily Buck, Kelly Buck, Katherine Flory (Paul), and Jenna Roberts; and numerous great-grandchildren, whom she enjoyed spending time with, as well as her well-loved dog Silas, who was with her through everything.

At her request, there will be no formal services held.

Memorials may be given to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th St., Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 (bcrf@bcrf.org) or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to serve the VanDyke family.