Amelia Christine “Chris” Shockley, 75, of Toano, VA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 16, 2025. Born ito the late Joseph Branch McGinley and Dorothy Mary “Molly” McGinley, on January 1, 1950, she was the beloved middle child of three.
Chris was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Brenda Jo McGinley. She is survived by her husband, the love of her life of 56 years, William Lawrence “Bill” Shockley; her children, William “Eric” Shockley (Christy) and Mary “Kristen” Greene (Steven); her siblings, Kenneth McGinley (Linda) and Sylvia “Doreen” Hamilton; her five grandchildren, Carol Shockley, Stephanie Leganza (Tom), Michelle Fonseca (Harry), William “Billy” Shockley (McKenzy), and Emily Marten (Levi); and her 5 great-grandchildren, Cali, Serenity, Eli, Luca, Liam, and one on the way; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will carry her memory forward.
Chris graduated James Blair High School in 1968. She met her loving husband, Bill, at a sock hop where he was playing in the band, that same year. They married in January of 1969, and together nurtured a life of love and laughter (what she said, he obeyed).
Chris lived a life devoted to the Lord. She expressed her love through cooking, always finding joy in cooking meals for family and friends. The kitchen was her favorite place, where she poured her heart into every dish. She loved collecting cookbooks and testing out all of the new recipes she found in them. She also enjoyed making her own cookbooks with recipes given to her by family and friends, or that she found online. She loved sitting outside on the swing when the weather was nice with her husband.
Chris had a memory like no other. One of her favorite past times, besides cooking, was reminiscing and telling the family history and the history of Toano to all who would listen. She could remember all of her cousins first, middle, and last names (which is no small feat!) and recount all of the memories she shared with each one. She shared many fond memories of her time spent in West Point when she was a young girl, the memories of when she moved to Toano – where her father built their house, her time working at Eastern State Hospital when she was in High School, her time with the New Kent Sheriff’s Department, and much more. She kept her mind sharp this way.
Chris will be remembered for her generous spirit, story-filled memory, and love she poured into every kitchen and family gathering. She lived a life well lived and deeply loved.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make donations to the James City Bruton Volunteer Fire Department, the Alzheimers Association, or Liberty Live at York River.
