Mother Shirley Laverne Dawkins, age 75, of Racine, WI passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Monday, May 31, 2021 at her residence. Shirley was born August 20, 1945 in Alamo, TN the eighth of ten children to Odell and Alberta (nee: Hicks) Reams. The Reams family relocated to Racine, WI in 1952 where she accepted Christ and became a life-long member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

Shirley attended Franklin Junior High School where she met the love of her life. She graduated from Washington Park High School class of 1963. On July 13, 1964 Shirley was united in holy matrimony to Thomas "Tom" Dawkins. To this union three children were born, Jill, Tommy, and Quincy. She relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1965 where she attended Strayer Junior College and also worked for the National Recreation & Parks Association as a Bookkeeper. She moved back home to Racine in 1973 where she attended Gateway Technical College and worked for the City of Racine-Treasurer Office as a Financial Cashier. Shirley found her passion selling homes when she received her realtors license in 1980.

Shirley served on the Racine County Board of Supervisors for two terms and the Racine Board of Appeals for five years. She was the secretary of the Racine County Planning & Development Committee and was appointed by the Mayor to the City of Racine Board of Zoning Appeals and Racine Community Housing Research Board. She also served on the Racine Unified School District Home Economics Advisory Committee and was an active member of 20 years at the Community Women's Club, Inc. and was an honorary member for the past 5 years. She was a past member of The Eastern Star Badger Chapter #5 and was a poll worker for many years. Shirley enjoyed being an Entrepreneur. She embarked on many ventures including selling Legal Shield, Avon, Mary Kay, and even started her own baking business called Shirley's Down Home Cakes. After retirement she enjoyed working as a teacher's aide at 21 ^st Century Preparatory School in Racine.

Shirley was a devoted member of St. Paul for 68 years. She was a member of the Mother's Board, the Senior Mission Department, regularly attended Bible class and Sunday school and was previously a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee.

Shirley was humble but did not hesitate to speak up when she felt compelled to say something. She was an avid reader, loved cooking and baking for her family and hosting parties. She also enjoyed traveling to visit her grandchildren and absolutely adored her family. Shirley was the family confidant when someone needed a listening ear. Once her beloved husband went on to glory she became a caregiver for her mother ensuring the daily affairs of the house were in order.

Left to cherish precious memories of her life are her loving children, Jill (Philbert, Sr.) Henderson, Thomas Dawkins, Jr. both of Austin, TX, and Quincy (Tyisha) Dawkins of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Philbert Henderson Jr of Houston, TX, Ayanna (Marveetes) Dawkins-Brown of Washington, D.C., Quincy Dawkins Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Jory Henderson of Austin, TX, and Isiah Dawkins of Los Angeles, CA; great granddaughter, Raine Brown of Washington, DC; goddaughter, Breonna Johnson of Milwaukee, WI; siblings, Eleanor (the late Willie) Forte of Racine, WI, Odis (the late Earna Esther) Reams of Chicago, IL, Jodie (Mae) Reams, Sr. of Racine, WI, Althea (the late Jim) Winters of Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Lula Reams of McDonough, GA, Charles (Jacqueline) Reams of Taylors, SC, Brandy (Jeffrey) Gandy of Racine, WI; mother-in-law, Florence (the late Quincy) Barker; special uncle in-law, Archie (Nerissa) Gandy; in-laws, Curtis (Cathy) Dawkins, Barbara (the late Rev. Elisha) Knight, Luther Sumlin, Sandra (Ronald) Dawkins-Harvey, Samuel Dawkins, Julia (the late Melvin) Stockton, Betty (Lorance) Turner, Perry Gandy, Joy (Ocelia) Simpson, Donald (Terri) Gandy, Danny Gandy, Byron (Carol) Gandy and special friend, Romer Lee Mullen along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be immensely missed by her Reams, Dawkins, Hicks, Gandy family and friends.

Waiting to receive Shirley at the gates of heaven are her beloved husband, Thomas Edward Dawkins, Sr.; grandsons, Darrion Branch and Bakari Henderson; parents, Odell and Alberta Reams; brother, Ardell Reams, sister, Mae Carolyn Reams; nieces, Rosalia Mitchell, Erica Reams, Debra Reams; nephew, Curtis Mitchell; fathers in-law, Quincy Barker and Thomas Dawkins; several in-laws, and a host of family and friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant, WI. The viewing will be held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am with The Homegoing Celebration immediately following at 11:00 am also at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1120 Grand Avenue, Racine, WI, with Senior Pastor Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby and officiated by Reverend Richard L. Jones, Sr. The interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

OUT OF RESPECT AND KINDNESS FOR OTHERS…

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SERVICE INSIDE ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH

Special thank you to cousins Sam and Courtney Stulo for opening their home and being gracious hosts during our time of need.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Bakari Foundation in memory of Shirley Dawkins are suggested at www.thebakarifoundation.org or send to P.O. Box 28081, Austin, TX 78755

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 NLT

Service Details

Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant, WI 53403. The viewing will be held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am with The Homegoing Celebration immediately following at 11:00 am also at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1120 Grand Avenue, Racine, WI, with Senior Pastor Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby and officiated by Reverend Richard L. Jones, Sr. The interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

OUT OF RESPECT AND KINDNESS FOR OTHERS…

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SERVICE INSIDE ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Bakari Foundation in memory of Shirley Dawkins are suggested at www.thebakarifoundation.org or send to P.O. Box 28081, Austin, TX 78755.