Rocky Mount – Shirley Mae Hux, age 91, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Born in Martin County, she was the daughter of the late Charles Woodard Hux and Margaret Virginia Williams Hux. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Amanda “Vicky” Boudreau; her grandsons, Charles Randolph Irwin, III and Jackson Boudreau; her sisters, Janice Hux Hayes, Rachel Joyce Cockrell, Marie Hux Barnes, and Barbara Jean Shafer; and her son-in-law, Harold William “Bill” Stewart, Jr.
A woman of great faith, Shirley was a devout member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, was a Master Catechist, and a Guardian Ad Litem. A veteran of the United States Air Force, she served as a communication specialist during the Korean Conflict. Shirley later studied Liberal Arts and went on to work with the Department of the Navy as a Graphic Illustrator until her retirement. Deeply involved and dedicated to helping others throughout her community, she was a Citizen’s Alumni for the Rocky Mount Police Academy, she volunteered at Nash Correctional Facility and was a volunteer for Hospice of Nash County. Shirley was a woman of strong moral beliefs and believed in the freedom of opinion. Her devotion to caring and looking out for others, coupled with her devotion to helping her community, Shirley strived to be as kind and compassionate to others at all times. A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many, Shirley will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Shirley is survived by her son, Gerald “Gerry” J. Boudreau, II and wife, Maria; her daughter, Virginia “Ginnie” Margaret Boudreau-Stewart; her ten grandchildren; her 16 great-grandchildren; her six great great-grandchildren; her sister, Peggy Hux Whitecotten; her daughter-in-law, Sherry Marie Boudreau; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dearest friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Father Paul Nicholas Cottrill officiating. Burial will follow the service at Oak City Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, October 30, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
331 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 972-0452
Visitation: Thursday, October 29, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 451-8800







You have been my beacon of light since the moment I was born. Your strength and character lives on in me and my children. Nobody has been there for me like you have throughout my life. I’m forever grateful for you. Give mom a big hug for me, and enjoy your reunion up there. I love you, forever ❤️
My Mother, Shirley
From Your Teacup, With Love
Written by your daughter Ginny
From the moment I arrived on earth,
Our story had begun,
So tiny was I when you held me,
Your little Teacup, your own.
You gave me that sweet name to keep,
A memory all our own,
A bond that started at my birth,
A love that time has known.
You were a woman strong and wise,
Who spoke her mind with pride,
And some of that same strength lives in me,
A strength I carry deep inside.
You helped me through life’s hardest days,
You stood beside me when I cried,
And through the trials that came my way,
Your part in me will never die.
My faith in God, my will to stand,
My respect for humankind,
Are threads woven through the life I live,
And the lessons left behind.
Though life brought silence between us,
And time kept us apart,
We found our way back months ago,
And I’m grateful for that start.
For we had time to speak again,
To share what we could share,
And though our story wasn’t always easy,
I’m thankful we were there.
That rose-gold ring you gave to me,
So many years ago,
Still rests upon my finger, Mom,
A treasure I will never let go.
It holds more than its golden glow,
More than its beauty brings,
It holds a piece of you with me,
And all that memory means.
The photographs you wished to see,
I sent them on their way,
And they will be there to honor you,
Just as you asked that day.
Your family carries stories,
Of lives both brief and long,
And one small life deserves his place
Within our family song.
My firstborn son, Charles Randolph Irwin III,
Was here for just one day,
But he was always my precious son,
And your grandson in every way.
Michelle, Tracy, and Angela, too,
Carry our family story on,
Each one a thread within the tapestry
Of the lives that we belong.
So rest peacefully, dear Mother,
Your earthly journey through,
I’ll carry all that made me who I am,
And the memories I hold of you.
Our story had its joys and trials,
Its silences and its tears,
But I’m grateful that we found our way
Back to each other in our later years.
You will be missed, you won’t be lost,
For love lives on in what we do.
And when I look upon my hand,
I’ll see the ring that came from you.
So until we meet again someday,
May God’s love surround you, too.
Rest peacefully, Mom.
Love always,
Your Teacup