Rev. Lillian A. Shearin

On Saturday, October 11, 2014, God looked down from heaven and picked from His garden our own beloved, Reverend Lillian Avent Shearin. She was the daughter of the late Marshall and Pearl Martin Avent. Born and reared in Pleasant Hill, North Carolina, Lillian received her formal education in the Northampton County public school system. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Education, and Library Science from North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina; a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.) degrees from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Richmond. Additionally, she completed postgraduate studies through Virginia State University in Petersburg and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She was certified in Pre-Marital and Marriage Counseling from Life Innovations, Inc. Minneapolis Minnesota. After 33 years of service, she retired from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lillian confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age in the Faithful Band Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill, North Carolina. She and her family united with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 1977. As a member of Pleasant Grove, she faithfully gave of her time and talents. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Student Opportunity Scholarship Ministry for students who were pursuing higher education. It was under her leadership as the Director of Christian Education that she introduced many services, such as the annual observance of the Hanging of the Greens Service; implemented unique observances of Easter, including Tenebrae, Stations of the Cross and the Seven Last Words Services; and introduced many other observances of the Christian Calendar to the congregation. She was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in November 2001 and was ordained in December 2004. Lillian was affiliated with and provided leadership and service to a number of organizations. She was a Volunteer Activities Coordinator at Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph’s Home, Richmond, VA, where she preached and conducted communion services weekly. She was a volunteer committee member at The Resource Center, Richmond, VA, served as Co-Chair of the Annual Excellence in Ministry Banquet, and assisted in the coordination of the Annual Inclusion Choir Concert. Lillian was a Community Advisory Board Member with the Department of Social and Behavioral Health School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University. She served as an Instructor at the Evans-Smith Leadership Training Program of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, where she taught Old and New Testament Classes. She was a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, where she served as the First Vice President of the local Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond. Lillian was a member of the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she held many offices including president. Additionally, she served in many leadership roles at the regional level. Lillian was united in Holy Matrimony to Melvin on July 6, 1968 and from this union became the proud parents of identical twin sons, Melvin Fitzgerald and Kelvin Abura. She was a devoted family member and the loves of her life were her grandchildren, Taj and Trey. She was lovingly called “Li” by her siblings and Aunt “Li” by her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Reverend Kelvin A. Shearin. She leaves to celebrate her home going devoted husband, Melvin A. Shearin; son, Reverend Melvin F. Shearin, II; grandchildren, Taj DeAndre Leake, and Trey Melvin Shearin; four sisters, Marjorie D. Boone, Jean A. Greene, Margaret A. Hayman (James), and Zelia A. Carter (Norman); two brothers, Marshall D. Avent (Jacqueline) and Garland R. Avent, II (Maggie); three brothers-in-law, Dr. Morris Shearin (Bertha), Walter Shearin (Clara), Alva Shearin (Camilla); five sisters-in-law, Susie Lee (Johnny), Elven Bridges, Rosa Shearin, Pocahontas Jones (Randolph), and Linda Fitzpatrick; several nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives and friends among them devoted friends, Gabie Frazier and Gloria Green. We thank God for her life and the inspiration she was to everyone. “Today we will collect our fond memories and hold dearly the part of her that has been given to each of us, so that in the days to come, we will join her in rejoicing, knowing that someday we will meet again. On that day, our tears will be wiped away, and we will join her in the great celebration of love, joy, peace, and eternal life with our savior.” The family has requested that donations be made in memory of Reverend Lillian A. Shearin to the following organizations: American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 to support continued research for a cure of Pancreatic Cancer or Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph’s Home, 1503 Michaels Road, Henrico, Virginia 23229.

Tributes

Rev. Lillian A. Shearin

November 13, 1946 - October 11, 2014