Vernencha Almaria (Lockhart) Shires was born on January 21, 1940 to Elnora Smith and Preston Lockhart in Nassau New Providence Bahamas. She was the middle child. She received her formal education through the Bahamian School System where she excelled in her studies. After graduating secondary school she went on the Bahamian Teacher’s College. After graduating the teachers college she attended the University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom. Upon graduation she returned to Nassau and began her career as an educator.
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On her return to Nassau, she met and married John Shires of England. After marriage they moved to the United Kingdom and then to Uganda where they taught in an all boy’s college. They left Uganda during the civil uprising returning to London, United Kingdom where she worked for a pharmaceutical company as a pharmacy technician for two years. They returned to the Bahamas and took teaching positions in the secondary school system. In 1985 she and John divorced going their separate ways.
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Vernencha Shires retired from full time teaching in 2005 but she was never far from teaching. She continued to fill in as a substitute teachers for several years. During this time she began devoting her spear time to spreading the word of God. She had hopes of one day becoming a preacher. In 2011 she started to show signs of dementia and in 2016 she was moved to live with her sister in Enid, Oklahoma where she resided until the time of her passing.
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Vernencha Almaria (Lockhart) Shires was truly blessed. She was born January 21st, 1940 and departed this life on December 18th, 2017. She is preceded in death by her father Preston Lockhart, her wonderful and loving mother Elnora Smith, and her grand-father Joseph Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory a brother, Anthony Smith of Miami, Florida, a sister, Linda Turner of Enid, Oklahoma, an uncle, Randolph Thompson and his wife Bernice, of New York, an aunt Vernita Smith, Nassau Bahamas, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
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