Obituary of Shirley Lee Douthit

Shirley Arvey McHan Douthit, born April 5, 1936, a loving mother, sister, friend and nurse, went home to be with our Lord on March 31, 2018. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bryson City. After graduating from Swain High School, Shirley began her career by working for the FBI in Washington D.C. Later she graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC and worked at hospitals in Sylva, NC, Valdosta, Ga, and Montgomery, AL before settling back in Bryson City, NC. She worked many years in all departments at Swain County Hospital and at Swain County Health Department. Her children and profession were her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lillie Arvey; her husbands, Don McHan and Paul Douthit; her brother, Earl Arvey; sisters, Pearl Lakey, Ella Mae Cook, Coralee Postell; and four infant siblings. She is survived by her children, Marvin McHan (Beth), Theresa Roaks both of Bryson City; grandchildren, Michelle Hoover (Dan) of Franklin, Jake McHanof Waynesville and Nathan McHan of Korea (US Army); brothers, Wayne and Joe Arvey; sisters, Floye DeHart, Dora Carlton, Clara Neil Arvey and many nieces and nephews and a special nurse and longtime friend, Louise Thomas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Dr. John Tagliarini will officiate with burial in the Tabor Cemetery. A guest book will be available for singing for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elizabeth House where she received excellent care with kindness. Address: Four Seasons Hospice, 221 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.