Shirley Stokes Tarter, a Gloucester native, passed away on July 26, 2020 at her home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was born Oct. 6, 1935 to Hayes and Mabel Stokes, now deceased. She was baptized at an early age at First Morning Star Baptist Church, Bena, Virginia.

Shirley graduated from Gloucester Training School and Morgan State College. Shirley was a social worker for the city of Philadelphia for 40 years. She loved to travel, visit family in Virginia, sew, help others and was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church under the Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Callahan.

Shirley and Donald W. Tarter were married in Philadelphia and had one daughter, Lisa, and granddaughter, Sacajawea and stepson, Donald Tarter Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sister, Joyce Braxton; daughter, Lisa; granddaughter, Sacajawea; nephews, Michael, Stafford Jr. and Shawn, and aunt, Mrs. Christene Boyd; a host of other nieces, nephews, friends and family.