Dr. Elizabeth "Bess" Shirley Stanton, age 69, passed away at home in Candler, N.C. on November 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of her wife of 25 years (Vicki), her children, and pets. Bess was born in Jackson on July 24, 1956. She earned an undergraduate degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, her MD from the University of Mississippi, and completed her residency in general adult and child psychiatry at Duke University. Additionally, she completed an MBA program specializing in healthcare administration. Dr. Stanton became triple board certified in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction medicine. After holding several chief medical officer positions at national healthcare organizations, Dr. Stanton returned to her roots of providing direct service to individuals with serious psychiatric and addiction illnesses. As the opioid overdose epidemic took hold in western N.C., she and her wife, Vicki Ittel, PhD, opened and operated several opioid treatment programs. When not providing direct care services, Bess had passions for travel, photography, scuba diving, taking care of her beloved pets, and her grandchildren.
Bess is survived by her wife, Dr. Vicki L. Ittel, daughter Sarah E. Stanton Goodwin (Brent), son William Benjamin Stanton, three grandchildren (Harper Stanton, Jacob W. Goodwin, Lillie Wren Goodwin), sister Cleta Shirley Ellington (Edward), brother Daniel Steve Shirley (Helen), and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter Clifton Shirley and Lillie Bess Stevenson Shirley Hines, as well as sister Connie Shirley Hines and brother Walter Clifton Shirley Jr.
An interment of ashes service is to be held at Lakewood Memorial Park on Saturday January 17, 2026 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
