Shirley Annette Dalton-Duckins

Shirley Annette Dalton-Duckins was born February 13, 1937, in Stokes County, North Carolina to the union of John and Ethel Dalton. The ninth of eleven children, she graduated as Valedictorian of London High School. She immediately enrolled at Winston-Salem State Teachers College on a full Academic Scholarship. After graduation, she relocated to Toledo, Ohio to teach with Toledo Public Schools at Spring Elementary. In 1961, Shirley married Delbert J. Duckins and to this union two children were born, Delbert, II and D. Jeniene. In 1976 she transferred to Harvard Elementary School. Shirley was known as "the organizer." She was a leader, a person who took responsibility seriously and was a dedicated, compassionate and an ambitious servant. Shirley's involvement included being President of the following organizations: Toledo Postal Supervisors Auxiliary, Toledo Jack and Jill, Inc., Toledo Chapter of Squaws (CHARMS) Inc. and Grace Presbyterian Women. She was an ordained Elder and Clerk-of-Session, Chairman of Christian Education, Superintendent of Sunday School and Personnel Chairman. Shirley served at the Maumee Valley Presbytery on various committees and The Synod of the Covenant. She also taught bible study for the Lyman Liggons Senior Center at Grace Church and cared for many sick and shut-in seniors. Shirley was awarded the distinguished "Golden Life Member" of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and "The Glass Apple Award" from Toledo Public Schools for thirty-seven successful years of dedicated service to teaching and the "Outstanding Presidential Award" from Grace Presbyterian Women. Shirley was called home to her Lord on April 11, 2015.

Her beloved family includes: husband of 53 years, Delbert J. Duckins, Sr., son, Delbert J. Duckins, II (Rebecca), daughter, D. Jeniene Duckins-Hall (Ronald, Sr.), brothers; Roosevelt (Fai), Curtis (Ida), Frank (Mary), Albert (Diane), sisters; Lula (Albert) Price, deceased , Catherine (France) Cole, deceased , Ida Hairston, deceased, (Irvin), Daisy (Jerry) Chandler, Alice (Herman) McNeil, Betty (Ronald) Jackson, grandsons: Jeffery, Ronald, Jr., Jonathyn (Taylor) Hall, James Joseph Duckins, Robert and great-grandson; Andrew Isaiah Hall and great-granddaughter Hannah Jeniene Hall, stepmother; Martha Dalton (age 105), special brothers, Preston and David Flynt, nearly 100 adorable nieces and handsome nephews, Godson Carl Milton and Goddaughter Bethany Searcy and a host of relatives and forever friends.

The family will receive guests from 5-8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419-381-1900). The CHARMS service will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Delta Sigma Theta Omega Omega service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1171 Oakwood Avenue. Burial will take place at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.