Leah Hagar Shields

Leah Hagar Shields, 99, of 150 Westmoreland Ct., Danville, passed away on March 10, 2026. She was born in Danville on June 29, 1926, and was the daughter of the late Shickry S. Hagar and Dora B. Hagar. Mrs. Shields was a lifelong resident of Danville.

On March 11, 1950, she married George H. Shields, Jr., who preceded her in death on March 15, 2016. They were happily married for 66 years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Robert “Bob” Hagar.

She is survived by two daughters, Leah Karen Luper of Richmond, Virginia, and Elizabeth Shields Ateyeh of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Dr. Erin Leah Luper, Brenton Shields Luper (Joween), Courtney Shields Sutor (Austin), and Edward “Tripp” Charles Ateyeh III (Lauren); and two great-granddaughters, Kinsley Albright and Aubrey Ateyeh.

Mrs. Shields attended James Madison College and was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church, where she served on numerous committees, was a former member of the Board of Deacons, past president of the Woman’s Missionary Union, active in Sunday School, and a member of the choir for more than fifty years.

She was past president of the Wayside Garden Club and the Windsor Heights Garden Club, and a former member of the Gabriella Garden Club, Wednesday Club, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, the Danville Science Center, the Danville Golf Club, and the Danville Historical Society.

Mrs. Shields loved spending time with her family and grandchildren as well as gardening, playing bridge, listening to music ranging from country to opera, and spending time at the beach.

A service of remembrance will be held at Highland Burial Park at 3049 North Main Street, Danville, VA 24540 on Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 871 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541, or to Danville Community College, George and Leah Shields Scholarship Fund, 1008 South Main Street, Danville, VA 24541.