Shirley Rives Gallert, 73, of 1410 Parkway Drive in Vicksburg, passed away April 25, 2009, at Duke University Medical School.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 tonight, April 27, 2009, at Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel in Greensboro, N.C.

Mrs. Gallert was born in Petersburg, Va. She was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Mississippi. She was active in the community and often volunteered with Mobile Meals. She was a devoted daughter and wife.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Otto Gallert; parents, Robert Rives and Mary Holloway Vaughan; her children, Edward Herman Gallert, Curtis Gallert and Mary Noel Gallert; and a brother, Robert Eugene Vaughan.

Mrs. Gallert is survived by her two sons, Robert Edward Gallert of Kernsville, N.C., and Christopher Steven Gallert of Woodstock, Md.; one sister, Rebecca V. Grammer of Oak Ridge, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank three special friends, Ann, Sam and Elizabeth.

The family will receive friends 5:30-6:30 tonight at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Half the Sky, 740 Gilman St., Berkeley, CA 94710.