Frances Shaw Williams Birch

Frances Shaw Williams Birch passed away on December 20, 2024, at the Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield, Maryland. She was born on March 15, 1932, to Elva (Festino) and Everette Shaw in Philadelphia. She married Floyd Williams, and they started their family here on Chincoteague. He, along with her two daughters Beverly, age 14, and Laura, age 11, perished in a tragic house fire on Piney Island on December 10, 1968. Frances remarried Myron (Dixie) Birch, who passed away on March 12, 2009. 

Frances was a member of the Christianaires singing group and also directed the children's choir at Union Baptist Church. Later, she became a member of Island Baptist Church, where she sang in a quartet.

Frances had a career as a dental assistant in Chincoteague for many years.

In her later years while residing at the Tawes Nursing Home, she would occasionally join in with a visiting singing group and surprise the staff with her lovely voice despite being affected with dementia.

As the last of her siblings, she was predeceased by Adeline Lewis, Clara Kellenberger, Myrtle Loag, and Everette (Buddy) Shaw. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and, in later years, was cared for by her nephew, Dave Shaw, and his wife, Brenda, and a volunteer niece, Bonnie Gene Holloway.

The funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague Island; there will be a visitation one hour prior. 

Donations may be made to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 691 Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home Inc., Chincoteague Island, VA. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com

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