Shirley Doreatha Williams

The Life & Legacy of a Great Women...

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

 ~ II Timothy 4:7-8

Shirley Doreatha Williams, born on November 13, 1946 in Seaboard, North Carolina was the first child of Wiley and Amelia Williams. In her early years she attended Mount Zion Baptist Church. She went to Coates Elementary School and was the first in her immediate family to graduate high school and college – graduating from Gumberry High School and then continuing her education at North Carolina College (now known as North Carolina Central University). She later obtained her Masters in Public Administration from California State University of Los Angeles.

As a young adult, Shirley moved to New York City, working in juvenile diversion and then moved to Pasadena, California where she began a long and successful career in human resources. In Pasadena she worked at Burrows in the Manpower Agency. She later served as the coordinator of the City of Inglewood Manpower Program. In this position she designed and implemented Inglewood’s first affirmative action program, classification and compensation studies and served on the city’s negotiating teams. Shirley was an innovator and a trailblazer, when in 1975 she was promoted to the position of Assistant to the Personnel Director for the City of Inglewood and in 1977 she assumed the post of Personnel Director for the City. Her human resources career spanned decades on both coasts when she moved in the 90s to Culpeper, Virginia and assumed the role of Human Resources Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation. Her last position was in Wilson, NC, where she held the title of Human Resource Manager for the city.

Some of Shirley’s favorite things were watching Jeopardy, staying at the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, playing Bid Whist, and watching her one and only grandson Jeremy play basketball and spending time with him and her daughter Michelle.  Shirley will be fondly remembered for her conversations about politics and the world, her love of good music and popping her fingers in the air. She also maintained lifelong friendships and served as the President of the Gumberry High School Reunion Committee for her high school class of 1964. Shirley was known to remember many stories, events and dates at the drop of a dime. A true Historian. Shirley was always ready to hit the road and get behind the wheel and drive to visit family or attend a class reunion.

Shirley passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Andrew “Bill” Williams.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Michelle Davis; her grandson, Jeremy Major both of Altadena, CA; her aunts, Catherine Stevenson of District Heights, MD, Fannie Castillo and Virginia Williams both of Durham, NC; a host of loved ones and friends. 

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit  Ms. Williams' tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family.  

The Caring Team of T. L. Faison's Funeral Care, LLC is privileged to provide

"Professional Care, With Dignity & Integrity" 

to the family of Ms. Shirley Doreatha Williams.  

We ask that you unite with us in remembering the family in both thought and prayer.

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