Obituary

Shirley Ann McCall Dallas, age 74, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, at HCA North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, surrounded by love. She has gone home to be with the Lord, leaving behind a legacy of strength, honesty, and devotion to her family.

Born on August 15, 1950, in New Jersey, Shirley was the youngest of six children to the late Herbert and Elizabeth McCall. Growing up in a bustling household, she learned early the values of hard work, faith, and speaking her mind. After her education in the New Jersey school district, she made the move to Florida, where her life’s greatest love story began.

It was in Florida that she met the love of her life, Ralph Dallas Jr., and in 1971 they were married. Together, they built a life rooted in love and family, raising six beautiful children: Sharon Elaine, William Carl, Natasha Elizabeth Allene, Dannette Larhonda Nicole, Ralph III, and Wesley II.

Shirley worked faithfully as a school bus driver, beginning in Putnam County in 1973 and later serving in St. Johns County until 1991. Driving “her kids” was more than a job—it was a calling. She took pride in keeping them safe, greeting them with a warm smile, and being a steady presence in their daily lives. Even after she could no longer drive due to injury, her dedication to those around her never wavered.

Shirley was known for her straightforward nature—she always told the truth as she saw it, with love at the heart of her words. She was a woman of integrity who meant what she said and said what she meant. Sometimes that honesty was misunderstood, but those who knew her best understood it came from a place of care.

Her family was her world. She cherished every moment spent with them—especially big family meals where stories were shared, laughter filled the room, and new memories were made. At home, she found joy in simple pleasures—watching her favorite classic TV shows like In the Heat of the Night, The Andy Griffith Show, and Bonanza, reading a good book, and working through crossword puzzles. These quiet moments brought her peace and happiness.

Shirley’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but her spirit, love, and wisdom will forever be a part of the lives she touched. She will be remembered for her warmth, wit, and unwavering love for her family.

She is survived by her six beloved children: Sharon Sanders (Daytona Beach, FL), William Sanders (Palatka, FL), Natasha Plummer (Palatka, FL), Dannette (LeeQuan) Johnson (West Virginia), Ralph Dallas III (East Palatka, FL), and Wesley Dallas II (Palatka, FL); her oldest sister, Rosa Lee Washington (East Palatka, FL); 36 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and her best friend, Gloria Fuqua (East Palatka, FL).

She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Herbert and Elizabeth; her brother, Herbert Jr.; her sisters, Mary McNeal, Elizabeth McCall Davis, and Regina Rush; her son-in-law, Michael Plummer Sr.; her daughter-in-law, Vatesha Monee Dallas; and her grandson, Carlos Sanders.

A Home Going Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177, with Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor, and Rev. Angela Dallas-Johnson of The House of Unity delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow at Pattersonville Cemetery, County Road 207A, East Palatka, FL 32131.

Visitation will be from 4–6 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025, at The House of Unity Church, 200 Fourth Street, East Palatka, FL.