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Williamsburg Funeral Home
Williamsburg Funeral Home
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01/04/1936 – 03/03/2026
Salters, SC
Salters, SC
Funeral Services
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Union Presbyterian Church, 4501 SC Hwy 377, Salters, SC, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation
Miss Jean’s family will greet friends in the Martin Building of the church following the committal service.
Memorials
Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Diane Boyd, 114 E. Brooks Street,
Kingstree, SC 29556.
Kingstree, SC 29556.
Martha “Jean” Sires Shirer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, substitute mother, and faithful servant of God, died at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Born January 4, 1936, in Kingstree, Jean was the daughter of the late Jasper Marion Sires, Jr. and
Emmie Gordon Ferrell Sires. She was a proud graduate of Kingstree High School and went on to
attend the University of South Carolina, where she was an accomplished athlete, an avid women’s basketball player, and member of Delta Zeta sorority. A lifelong and enthusiastic Gamecock fan, Jean could always be counted on to cheer on her team in every sport.
Following her college years, Jean began a long and dedicated career with the United States Postal Service. She faithfully served her community for many years and retired as Postmaster in Salters, South Carolina, a role she carried out with pride and commitment. She valued her many coworkers and counted them among her closest friends.
Jean was a lifelong member of Union Presbyterian Church, where she was deeply involved in church life and activities for many years. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Red Hat Society, cherishing the fellowship and friendships she formed through these organizations.
Jean’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted spouse of 67 years, Julian
“Carlisle” Shirer; her four children, Julian C. “Carl” Shirer, Jr. of Salters, SC; Renee S. (Patrick) McCormick of Kiawah Island, SC; Janeen S. (Bobby) Rogers of Elgin, SC; and James F. Shirer of Columbia, SC; eight cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her beloved nieces; and an adopted daughter, Kelley Cooper.
In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her infant son, James Stanley Shirer; her sister, Leila Sires Foust; her brother, Jasper “Marion” Sires III, her beloved uncle, James Alurid Ferrell; and her daughter-in-law, Terry B. Shirer.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Union Presbyterian Church, 4501 SC Hwy 377, Salters, SC, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Miss Jean’s family will greet friends in the Martin Building of the church following the committal service.
Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Diane Boyd, 114 E. Brooks Street,
Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituaries page at
[www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com](http://www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com). Visit the
guestbook at [www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston](http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston).
Jean will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love of family and community, and her spirited devotion to her Gamecocks. Her legacy of kindness, strength, and joyful loyalty will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Born January 4, 1936, in Kingstree, Jean was the daughter of the late Jasper Marion Sires, Jr. and
Emmie Gordon Ferrell Sires. She was a proud graduate of Kingstree High School and went on to
attend the University of South Carolina, where she was an accomplished athlete, an avid women’s basketball player, and member of Delta Zeta sorority. A lifelong and enthusiastic Gamecock fan, Jean could always be counted on to cheer on her team in every sport.
Following her college years, Jean began a long and dedicated career with the United States Postal Service. She faithfully served her community for many years and retired as Postmaster in Salters, South Carolina, a role she carried out with pride and commitment. She valued her many coworkers and counted them among her closest friends.
Jean was a lifelong member of Union Presbyterian Church, where she was deeply involved in church life and activities for many years. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Red Hat Society, cherishing the fellowship and friendships she formed through these organizations.
Jean’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted spouse of 67 years, Julian
“Carlisle” Shirer; her four children, Julian C. “Carl” Shirer, Jr. of Salters, SC; Renee S. (Patrick) McCormick of Kiawah Island, SC; Janeen S. (Bobby) Rogers of Elgin, SC; and James F. Shirer of Columbia, SC; eight cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her beloved nieces; and an adopted daughter, Kelley Cooper.
In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her infant son, James Stanley Shirer; her sister, Leila Sires Foust; her brother, Jasper “Marion” Sires III, her beloved uncle, James Alurid Ferrell; and her daughter-in-law, Terry B. Shirer.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Union Presbyterian Church, 4501 SC Hwy 377, Salters, SC, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Miss Jean’s family will greet friends in the Martin Building of the church following the committal service.
Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Diane Boyd, 114 E. Brooks Street,
Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituaries page at
[www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com](http://www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com). Visit the
guestbook at [www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston](http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston).
Jean will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love of family and community, and her spirited devotion to her Gamecocks. Her legacy of kindness, strength, and joyful loyalty will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of her and that wonderful smile of hers
Sending you strength and comfort. Praying for you all.
We are very sorry. Both of my parents thought very highly of Mrs. Jean.
Sorry for your loss may GOD grant you all strength and comfort at this difficult time Praying for you all
Our dear, sweet Miss Jean, we miss you already.
Miss Jean and Mr. Carlisle are our adoptive parents. They may not have wanted more adopted children but Mike and I were not taking no for an answer. We love them both as if they were blood relatives.
Miss Jean told me about duck farts. I had never heard of them. She told me that I had to visit the Red Dog Saloon in Alaska and have one. I did and they were wonderful. Every time I have one, I think of her. I brought her a fridge magnet with the recipe so we would remember together.
Every time I sat with her, she made me smile. We talked about a lot of things together. We shared secrets, fears, joys, things that maybe we would not share with others. She was a confidant whom I cherished.
Miss Jean will always be in our hearts. She will always be with us. Her smile is ever present. May she rest in the peace of Christ. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
So sorry for the loss. Mrs. Jean was a Fine lady, and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
We are thinking of all of you, and remembering “Miss Jean” fondly. She was a sweet (and fun!) person.
Len Barry and Claire Hudson (Watts) Gaskins