Shirley Jones Mallard

Shirley Jones Mallard, 90, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 24, 2026, in Durham, NC. Born in Salisbury, NC, on February 21, 1935, Shirley lived an inspiring, Christian life defined by love, accomplishment, and charity.

Shirley was a graduate of Durham High School and Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina. After starting a family, she began her career as a French teacher at Northern High School in Durham. Later moving to Long Island, NY, she deftly juggled family and work life to earn her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Retiring from teaching and returning to Durham, Shirley began working as an interviewer at the Employment Security Commission. There, she met Frank Mallard, a widowed father of three and retired Marine colonel who would become the love of her life and husband of more than 30 years until his passing in 2013. This perfect pair enjoyed traveling, socializing with friends, family gatherings, and just being together.

An avid genealogist and local historian, Shirley was a charter member of the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society and the Granville County Genealogical Society. She devoted herself to countless hours of research and writing, producing books that can be accessed via Duke University Libraries, UNC University Libraries, and Durham County Library. It brought her great joy to share the genealogical and historical information she gathered.

Beyond that, Shirley was a superb knitter, quilter, crocheter, and crafter who created beautiful pieces that she not only gifted to family and friends, but to worthy causes. She also enjoyed Sudoku, cryptograms, jigsaw puzzles, reading, walking, scrapbooking, and memoir writing. And she was a woman of deep faith who studied the Bible and was a regular churchgoer for as long as she was able.

But what truly defined this vivacious, kind, and beautiful person was her love for people. She was thrilled to be a mother from the time her children were born, and she welcomed new family members with open arms. Beloved at Croasdaile Village retirement community—her home for 19 years—she

continually looked for opportunities to help others, including her tenure heading up the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program, where she would connect neighbors who needed assistance with others who could provide it. And she doled out “grandma hugs” with her trademark joie de vivre to friends, staff, and strangers alike. Simply put, she spread joy all around.

Asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said, “She loved a good joke.” Though very true, she should be remembered most for the positive impact she had on this world. Now, she is with Jesus and reunited with loved ones who passed before her, including her husband Frank; her parents Edward and Dora Jones; her sister Evelyn Buchanan; and her late-in-life partner Robert Minter.

Shirley is survived by daughter Katherine Watkins and husband Robin; son Richard Winslow III and wife Harriet; stepchildren Carol Kershaw and husband Robert, Katherine Lindsey and husband John, and John Mallard and wife Deborah; grandson Richard Winslow IV; granddaughter Maggie Seidel and husband David; great-grandson David Seidel; step-grandchildren Matthew Kershaw, Katherine Kershaw, Lauren Mallard, and Emily McHugh; brother Edward Jones and wife Julie; lifelong friend Mary Williams; honorary family Tammy and Joe Satterwhite; and former spouse and father of her children, Richard Winslow.

A memorial service to celebrate Shirley’s wonderful life will be held in Few Chapel at Croasdaile Village on Saturday, February 7, at 11 am with memorial reception to follow. A private interment was held Thursday, January 29, at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, with arrangements under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make contributions to the Benevolent Care Fund, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Suite A-500, Durham, NC 27705 or to a charity of your choice.