Saluda, SC

Shirley Ann Gasque Yonce

My name is Shirley Ann Gasque Yonce, and after 85 years I passed peacefully into Heaven on Friday, July 4, 2025. I was born in Mullins, SC on June 13, 1940, to Rupert Badger Gasque, Sr. and Martha Ellen Newton Gasque of Marion, SC. As per my request, I will have a "celebration of a wonderful life" during a graveside service at Travis Park Cemetery at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

I had a very happy childhood, and a loving family as I grew up. I was fortunate to enjoy the best years anyone could when growing up in the 50s! I graduated in 1958 from Marion High School and in 1962 from Columbia College. I later obtained a Master's Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina in 1992. I taught two years at Saluda High School and 26 years at Saluda Elementary School, in Saluda, SC.

As a child I attended and was married at Marion United Methodist Church. After marriage, I became a member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church. I always enjoyed outings and suppers with my church family. I also enjoyed my Bridge Club friends and treasured annual reunions with my Marion High School Class of '58. They were all a wonderful group of treasured friends.

I was married to William L. Yonce, Jr. (Larry) on January 27, 1963, and my life was blessed with a loving and devoted husband. We celebrated 58 years of marriage before his passing in 2021.

We had two wonderful boys that never gave us one minute of trouble, William L. Yonce, III (Lauren) and his wife, (Cecelia Sawyer Yonce) and Van Brian Yonce. I am so proud of my entire family including my three beautiful grandchildren: Anna Yonce Conley (Mason), Julia Yonce Ruff (Cole), and William Travis Yonce (fiancée Laura Haymes Harlan) and three nieces and two nephews.

I am now reunited with my two older brothers, Badger (wife, Pat) of Columbia, SC and Bill (wife, Emmie) of Murrells Inlet, SC, a grandson, William L. Yonce, IV., and a brother -in-law, Donnie Yonce.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given in Shirley Yonce's name to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude PL., Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, 101 Calhoun Street, Saluda, SC 29138.