What joy filled the Williams home on September 18, 1926, when Shirley Anne Williams Dunlap was born to Reverend Coy N. and Mrs. Amy Wright Williams!  The family lived in the African American section of Boone, NC.  When Shirley Anne was 12 years old, she and sister Mary Jane moved to Winston-Salem with their parents. Her father came to pastor Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church. The family lived on Graham Avenue in Reynoldstown. Shirley Anne quickly made friends and became part of the social fabric of the community. She attended 14th Street Elementary School, graduated from Atkins High School, attended Bennett College and graduated from Winston-Salem State University.

Shirley Anne and Mary Jane were blessed with a beloved stepfather, Walter R. Penn, through whom they acquired a brother, James Willie Penn. and his extensive family. Wonderful hours of fellowship and love were spent   when they visited Mary Jane, Shirley and their mother.

Shirley Anne was dedicated to living a life of value. She worked at the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem where she coordinated the move of the first family into Happy Hill Gardens. She was a Community Coordinator at the Patterson Avenue YWCA, and she worked at Winston Mutual Life Insurance Company.  Through her jobs she was connected to many organizations and people in the community. She was a true socialite, graceful, elegant and was seen at all the important African American events and activities.

Her proudest professional memories were from her teaching career that started as an elementary school teacher in Thomasville, NC. She taught at Mineral Springs Elementary School and became a counselor at Kennedy Middle School and Reynolds High School. Numerous students remember her guidance and direction. She found comfort and pride in hearing about their success in becoming positive contributing adults.

Shirley Anne married Marvin Kenneth Dunlap in 1969. They made great memories for 39 years until his death in 2008. Her favorite pastimes were with her dogs, Toby, Dinky, and Muffin. She was an avid shopper. Her favorite stores were Montaldo's, Sosnik's, and the Ideal, before she fell in love with Gaia. She loved unique, classy hats and handbags. In fact, one of her hats was worn at the Ebony Fashion Fair that toured the nation.

Shirley Anne has been a gracious, sincere and devoted neighbor on Gerald Street in Slater Park and on Wallingford Road in Winston Lake Estates. Her houses were transformed into tastefully decorated homes, especially during Christmas.

Shirley Anne was a faithful Methodist with membership at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church. She has had an affiliation with Dellabrook Presbyterian Church. For many years she performed with the Voices of God's Children Community Choir.

With her passing, Shirley Anne is reunited with her precious husband, Marvin Dunlap, and longtime friends Bernice Moore, Julia Kellum, Cornelia Forbes and Wilma Wade.  Numerous friends and family will remember her for her laughter, witty conversations, sincere concern and the love she shared. Most heartfelt love will be with her beloved and devoted sister, Mary Jane Williams; special cousins James F. Butler III and the Butler cousins, and Marvin's children, Marvette Moore and Tyrone Dunlap.

Shirley Anne was blessed to have several caregivers who assisted her over the years. Ms. Debra Scott has been her compassionate caregiver during Anne's transition season.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Monday, November 25, 2024 at Russell Funeral Home.

Celebration of life services will be held at 12noon Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12noon on Tuesday at the Church.