Shelby (Murphy) Brice

Shelby Murphy Brice, age 81, of Winston Salem, NC, died on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at her home. Shelby was born on March 23, 1940, in Alleghany, NC, to Click C. Murphy and Lorene Bedsaul Jennings, both of Sparta, NC.

Shelby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of forty-two years, Dr. Robert S. Brice, Jr of Winston Salem, NC, her stepfather Harry L. Jennings of Sparta, NC, her brother E. Dwayne Murphy of Independence, VA, and her brother Wade H Murphy of Roaring Gap, NC.
Four sons survive her. Douglas C. Dozier of Charlotte, NC, Mark F. Dozier & wife Claudia of Scottsdale, AZ, and children Lance of Christiansburg, VA, Luke & wife Madeline of Kernersville, NC, and Lydia of Charlotte, NC, Graham C. Brice & wife Molly and children Emily and Vance of Wilmington, NC, and W. Gregory Brice & wife Susan and children Jake and Whitfield of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Shelby is also survived by her stepmother Ola Mae Murphy of Sparta, NC, her brother Chris C. Murphy & wife Kathy of Sparta, NC, her stepsister Mary Collins & husband Jeff of Yadkinville, NC, her sisters-in-law Janie Murphy of Sparta, NC, and Patsy Murphy of Roaring Gap, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

A 1958 graduate of Sparta High School, Shelby earned an Associate in Business at Hardbarger Business College, Mt. Airy, NC. She did this at night school while working at Smithey’s Department Store in Sparta during the day. Later, while working for Lowe’s Hardware in Richmond, VA, Shelby met her husband, Gary F. Dozier, of Raleigh, NC. Shelby and Gary lived in Richmond, VA, Staunton, VA, N. Wilkesboro, NC, and Boone, NC.

In 1966, Shelby and Gary moved to Sparta, NC, where Gary opened Sparta Building Supply. Shelby was a member of the First Methodist Church in Sparta and active in the Alleghany County Jaycees.

In 1974, Shelby moved to Winston Salem, NC where she worked for Wachovia Bank & Trust. She married Dr. Robert S. Brice, Jr the following year. Shelby was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem, where she was a deacon and active in their Stephen Ministries. She was also a board member of Forsyth Memorial Hospital’s Medical Auxiliary.

As a girl, Shelby enjoyed singing, cooking, cheerleading, and caring for the animals on her childhood farm in Ennice, NC. She always loved older people and spent time, throughout her life, visiting older relatives and friends in Alleghany and Forsyth Counties. Shelby was known for her outgoing personality, humor, compassion, generosity, and as someone who loved to have fun. She was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. It was a top priority to Shelby to bring hope, encouragement, and laughter to others, both in person and on the phone. She never met a stranger.

The family extends special thanks to Christy Shaw, Luke Dozier, Alice Crouse Greene, Deborah Upchurch, Briona Brown, Linda Bowman, Lydia Dozier, Madison Fender, and others for the outstanding support they gave Shelby in recent years at her home in Winston Salem.

A viewing will be held this Saturday, April 24 from 3:00-5:00 pm at Salem Funeral & Cremation Services at 2951 Reynolda Rd in Winston-Salem, NC. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, April 25 at Thomas Family Funeral Service, 115 Hawthorne St, in Sparta, NC. Visitation in Sparta will be at 1:00 pm and the service will begin at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Little Pine Church of the Brethren in Ennice, NC (2740 Barrett Rd).

Donations in Shelby’s honor may be made to Samaritan Ministries of Winston-Salem 414 E. Northwest Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

Online condolences may be made to Shelby's memorial page at www.salemfh.com or to her tribute wall at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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