Mary Ellen Shields Ashley, March 15, 1932—April 14, 2020

Mary Ellen Shields Ashley, 88, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2020 at her residence in Arlington Virginia. Born in Bluefield on March 15, 1932, Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Arthur Monroe and Mary Hampton Boyer Shields of Ceres. Mary Ellen was a 1950 graduate of Beaver High School where she served as a Majorette and on the Beaver Cheerleading Squad. She received a Bachelor's degree in Education from Concord College (1955) and a Masters Degree from West Virginia University (1957). On April 16, 1965 she married Carl E. Ashley of Bluefield, who passed away in 1978. Mary Ellen taught Physical Education and Driver's Education at Bluefield High School and served for many years as scoreboard operator at Mitchell Stadium. She was a member of Bland Street United Methodist Church and lived in Bluefield until joining her sons in Northern Virginia in 2007. Mary Ellen loved sports and enjoyed attending Washington Nationals baseball games and watching WVU basketball. She is survived by children Carl E. Ashley Jr. and wife Melissa Bingmann of Washington DC; Boyer D. Ashley of Arlington VA; Kelly S. Ashley and wife Courtney Vest Ashley of Alexandria VA; granddaughters Harper (10) and Holland (7); brother David H. Shields and wife Barbara of Bluefield; and extended family Carla Ashley Perry, Shane Ashley, and David Ashley. Brother Arthur M. Shields and wife Lottie of Ceres Road, Bluefield, WV predeceased her. Rev. Brent Brown, Pastor of Bland Street United Methodist Church, will provide gravesite rites at a private ceremony. Public memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Bland Street Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.