Lillie Lowman Shires, age 96, of 405 Commerce Avenue, Iron Gate, Virginia died Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at her residence. She was born April 11, 1922 in Clifton Forge to the late George W. and Mary Elizabeth Lawson Lowman. She retired from the United States Postal Service with more than 40 years of service as Postmaster for the town of Iron Gate and was a lifelong a member of Iron Gate United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Elmo Shires, Jr.; four sisters and their husbands, Louise Shires and husband Rev. L.S. Shires, Helen Lowman Metz and husband Harry, Ida Whitaker and husband Phil, and her twin Lillian Fitch and husband Sidney; three brothers Carl Lowman, Clarence Lowman, and James Lowman and wife Stella; and a niece, Ruby Anderson. She is survived by, five nieces, Mary Lee Metz Brackenridge and husband Fred of Iron Gate, Reta Metz Boggess and special friend David Persinger of Clifton Forge, Lena Kay Metz McClung of Iron Gate, Anita Leahr and husband Bob of Florida, Betty Fitch Griffin and husband Alan of Roanoke; four nephews, Kenny Wayne Lowman and wife Connie of Clifton Forge, Calvin Randolph Lowman and wife Susie of New Castle, Michael Whitaker of Florida, and Tommy Fitch and companion Caroline of Clifton Forge; a number of great nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved caregivers, Bethany Broughman and Esther Thurston. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM in Iron Gate United Methodist Church in Iron Gate with Reverend Bill Bearden and Reverend Lester Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be selected from nephews and great nephews attending the service. The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon from 12:00 Noon until the time of service at Iron Gate United Methodist Church, and other times at Lillie’s home, 405 Commerce Ave, Iron Gate. Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Iron Gate United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 190, Iron Gate, VA 24448, or the Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.