Glenda Earl O'Shields

SHELBY- Glenda Earl O'Shields, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, in Cleveland County. Born on February 5, 1941, also in Cleveland County, Glenda graced this world with 84 remarkable years filled with love, dedication, and unwavering strength.

A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, Glenda's Gamecock spirit shone brightly throughout her life. As a devoted educator, she took immense pride in her role as principal at Central School in Kings Mountain, Kings Mountain Middle, and later Grover Elementary before her well-earned retirement. Her leadership was characterized by fairness, feistiness, and an unyielding loyalty to her schools, family, and community. Glenda was not only a dependable and good leader but also an active participant in enriching the lives of those around her.

Her interests reflected her vibrant personality and zest for life. She found joy in playing softball with the Golden Girls, cultivating beauty as a master gardener, and expressing her creativity through quilting and sewing. In her younger years, she loved riding horses, and throughout her life, she delighted in reading and volunteering at local schools. Her passion for genealogy allowed her to explore and preserve her family's rich history.

Glenda was a faithful lifelong member of Sulphur Springs Methodist Church, where her presence will be dearly missed. She was also active in the ADK sorority for teachers and the Friends of the Library, continually seeking ways to support and uplift her community.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Evans and Pauline Earl. Surviving Glenda is her devoted husband of 61 years, Dan Wilson O'Shields; her daughter, Julie Parris, and husband Scott; granddaughters, Danielle Kennedy and husband Jake, and Morgan Parris; great-granddaughter, Caroline Ruth Kennedy; her cherished fur baby, BB; as well as numerous cousins who will all carry her legacy forward.

A funeral service to celebrate Glenda's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Sulphur Springs Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Cathy Houser and Priscilla Walker. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Terra Bella for their exceptional care and compassion over the past two years.

Glenda Earl O'Shields leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and community service. Her memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center www.claybarnette.com