JACKSONVILLE  - Shirley Johnson Rachide, 93, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by members of her family, onTuesday, June 11, 2024 at Kempton of Jacksonville.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM of Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel with Rev. Thomas Davis officiating.  Burial will follow at Onslow Memorial Park in Jacksonville.  A reception for family and friends will be held afterwards.

Mrs. Rachide was born in Angier, NC, on September 25, 1930 to parents, Sadie Giles Johnson and Joseph Halford "Hap" Johnson. Shirley rejoins her beloved husband of 63 years, Albert Paul Rachide, who preceded her in death on September 20, 2012.

As a young woman, Shirley worked at Cherry Drug Store in Havelock, North Carolina, where she met her future husband, Albert, who was working there as a pharmacist. They married in 1949. Together, they founded and operated New River Pharmacy in Jacksonville for 26 years. They were quite a team and absolutely loved working together, even involving their children in the family business as soon as they were old enough to work.

After Shirley and Albert retired, charitable endeavors and volunteer work became their calling. With Shirley leading the effort, she and Albert managed the Infant of Prague Thrift Store, which has helped countless Onslow County families over the years and supported funding for the church's charitable works. For many years, Shirley was also instrumental in keeping the Onslow County Red Cross Food Pantry stocked.  Her novel purchasing methods and retail knowledge provided many more people in need with essential food.

Shirley's exceptional cooking and baking skills always brought family and friends together to celebrate holidays and milestones. She was a talented quilter and seamstress, a tenacious cards and dominoes player, and she was endlessly generous with her time, energy, and resources. Her home overflowed with love and laughter. She spent her life selflessly taking care of others. She leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion, generosity, integrity, grace, and determination.

In Shirley's final decade of life, she lived with her daughter, Jean, who cared for her in her home and continued to care for her after Shirley moved into Kempton of Jacksonville in 2022. Jean would like to express her deepest gratitude to Wanda Temple of the former In Touch Home Care in Morehead City for the years of care provided within Jean's home, Dionna Gipson of JAYDS Home Care in Jacksonville for the 24/7 private duty care provided within Kempton of Jacksonville, Pruitt Hospice, Gentiva Hospice, and all of the loving staff at Kempton of Jacksonville. Jean would also like to thank Shirley's most dedicated personal caregivers over the past 9 years: Joanne, Perpetual, Gail, Ellen, Billy, Kamesia, Sophia, Tanisha, Evelina, Juanita, Melinda, Lynne, Alice, Joan and Marvette. This team of providers made Shirley's most difficult final years happy and comfortable, and most of all, they made her feel loved. They became family to both Shirley and Jean.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Beverly Rachide of Tequesta, FL, Albert J. Rachide (Susan) of Pink Hill, NC, John Rachide (Mary) of Bradenton, FL, and her devoted daughter, Jean of the Crystal Coast of NC, and her sister, Glenda Medder of Greensboro, NC. She is also survived by five grandchildren Mary (Mark), Stephen (Sheila), Charley (Cori), Casey (Chelsea), and Ellie, and eight great-grandchildren, Isaac, Eve, Jayden, Kadin, Ethan, Henry, Griffin, and Owen, two daughters-in-law, Margie Ringler Rachide and Cathy Bulla Rachide, three step-grandchildren, Nicole (Dylan), Shannon, and Joan Fay, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Albert, her sisters, Dorothy Clasby and Carole Murray, and her parents.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, prior to the service, from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial to the charitable organization that is closest to your heart.