Helen (Holly) Shannon died peacefully at home on Friday, August 26, 2021. Holly was born in Charleston, SC on August 23, 1941. She spent most of her early life in Kentucky and had an early career as a civilian dental technician and administrative assistant for the US Army in various places. Later after 19 years at Radford University in Virginia, she retired in January 2007 from position as assistant to the Dean for the College of Education. She and husband Walt moved from their home of 23 years on Claytor Lake in Southwest Virginia to Ocean Ridge Plantation in North Carolina in August 2015.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Walter; son Steve Carter and wife Michelle and grandson Cristian of Galveston, TX; stepdaughter Dawn Happ and husband Kipp and grandchildren Kieran and Braeden of West Chester, PA; stepdaughter Kelly Egolf and husband Brian and grandchildren Cameron and Sidney of Santa Fe, NM; and stepson Brian of Chicago, IL. Also surviving are her sister Kaye Barker and family of Elizabethtown, Ky; brother Joseph and family of Brambleton, VA; and brother William and family of Lake Norman, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

Holly loved life, getting together with friends and family, parties, margaritas, and martinis. She especially loved our new friends and the beauty and camaraderie of Ocean Ridge Plantation and life in the coastal areas of North and South Carolina. She was an avid supporter of animal rescue and shelters. Since she endured the impact of asthma and eczema all her life, she supported all health services and research.

Celebration of Life will be at 1:00-3:00 PM, Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Nature Pavillion, Ocean Ridge Plantation. No flowers please, as Holly always wanted flowers while she was alive not after. Contributions may be made to your favorite charity or local animal shelter.

Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte