Gaye E. Shields

On January 6, 2022 Gaye E Shields was released from her earthly bonds to be welcomed by her heavenly father. She was born March 4, 1927 to Mary Jane Reed Miller and Moral Miller in Slaty Fork West Virginia on Dry Branch Road.

She was predeceased by husband James William Shields, Sr; daughters Ramona Ann Shields and Jenny Lynn Barnstein; and grandson Leif Ericson Shock III. She is survived by daughter Priscilla Waldman and husband Rodger of Seven Valleys PA; son James William Shields, Jr of Frederick MD; Grandchildren Jessica, Douglas, Amber and Samantha; Great-grandchildren Ella, Abigail, Grayson, Max and Huxton.

In her eyes, Gaye was born into a perfect community of love in Appalachia West Virginia . Gaye learned to find value in everyone and to love nature through the eyes of her adored father and learned the ethics of hard work, truth and responsibility from her beloved mother. Gaye's life was guided by the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Her family moved to Cass, West Virginia when she was still a young girl. At that time Cass was a thriving logging and railroad town. She loved sitting on the Company Store porch and catching up with childhood - or newfound - friends on her many return visits to Cass. She married young and moved to Maryland with her husband, Jim, where they built a home and family - neither ever leaving far behind their West Virginia roots. They finally settled on a small farm in Jarrettsville MD. In their retirement years they traveled cross-country and spent their winters in Florida where Gaye made her home after Jim's passing.

Gaye was a patriot for peace who loved her country. She enjoyed visiting small towns and meeting the local residents - her dream was to sit on the steps of the Courthouse of every small town and talk to the residents as they passed by. Those who knew Gaye knew her gregarious nature and creative spirit. She enjoyed art, reading, and her many friends and family. Gaye possessed the eye of an artist and the heart of a poet. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her.

On what would have been her 95th birthday, March 4, 2022, we will have a memorial service at Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church in Stony Bottom, West Virginia followed by a celebration of her life at the Cass Fire Hall.

Although she loved flowers, she loved her library more - In lieu of flowers please support the Jarrettsville Public Library, 3722 Jarrettsville Road, Jarrettsville MD 21084 .