2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 197
Celebrating the life of Shirley Kirby Armentrout.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, Shirley Kirby Armentrout, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, esteemed public servant, and an active and beloved member of the Radford community, died on February 11, 2026; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Radford High School in 1954 and earning a degree in biology from what is today Radford University three years later, Shirley Armentrout married her high school sweetheart, Robert Smith, and moved to Martinsville, where she dedicated herself to the success of young people as a science and physical education teacher at the former Drewry Mason High School; and
WHEREAS, following Robert's death, Shirley Armentrout returned home to Radford; some time thereafter, she met her second husband, Bill Armentrout, who had recently graduated from pharmacy school and who would later take ownership of Radford Drug, which was founded by Shirley Armentrout's father; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Armentrout gave generously of her time for the benefit of the community by serving on the Radford City School Board, where she played a vital role in the formation of John N. Dalton Intermediate School; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Armentrout was passionate about health and fitness, enjoyed spending her winters in Naples, Florida, and, above all else, cherished the quality moments she shared with family and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Shirley Armentrout was a member of what is today Central Church Radford for 83 years, and she received her second baptism there on October 17, 2025; and