Shirley Daggett Gray, 73, of Arkadelphia, AR passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday November 16, 2025. She was a happily retired “Snowbird” for the last 25 years traveling between Arkansas and Georgia in the summers and Florida in the winters visiting family.
She was born in Corpus Christi, TX on September 30, 1952 – the 7th of 10 but only red-headed child of the late Wesley & Susan Daggett. She was preceded in death by 2 sisters -Wilma Daggett and Judy Thomason, brother John Daggett, sister-in-law Barbara Daggett and her loving husband of 27 years, Larry Gray aka “Papa Squirrel”.
She is survived by her 2 sons Eddie (Dale) Young of Rome GA and William Wesley Gray of Arkadelphia AR; stepson Ronald Lynn Gray of Cartersville GA; special nephew Vance Alan Key of Tampa FL; 4 grandkids: Robin Gray (James Matthews) of Lakeland FL, Rachel Gray (Jesse McClure) of Gurdon AR, Addie Young & Cole Young of Rome GA; 4 selected grandkids: Stacie (Michael) Brooks of Morgantown KY, Noah Gray of Amity AR, Dalton Gray of Arkadelphia AR, and Breanna Gray of Gurdon AR; 2 great-grandchildren Leia McClure and Grayson McClure; selected great-grand Carleigh Davis; 2 brothers: Wayne Daggett and Dale Daggett; 4 sisters: Linda (Jim) Schoonover, Eunice West, Frances (Stanley) Key and Martha (Thomas) Womack; 2 sisters-in-law: Jackie Daggett and Regena Gray Paulson; a brother-in-law who was more like a son – Ricky Gray (June), more Daggett/Gray/Ellis nieces and nephews than you can count and 2 families of friends: The Buffington Bunch of Rome GA and the Ybor Key House of Tampa FL.
Lovingly known as “Sha Sha” or “Sha”, she was so sweet that her tea had its own name “Sha Sha Sweet!” She was a published poet with the most beautiful penmanship and a gypsy soul. Loving and protecting her family was her job. Her favorite things were: chocolate, spending time with family, dancing, sisterhood, boating, fishing, camping, chocolate, convertible rides, bird watching, picking up seashells on the beach, beautiful sunrises/sunsets and chocolate. Her all-time favorite, though, was being a Nana.
Services were held Friday, Nov 21, at Gurdon First Assembly of God Church. Flowers may be sent to Smith Family Funeral Home or plant a pink rose in her honor and share a pic #imtickledpink. Florida Beach Celebration to be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, http://www.smithfamilycares.com.
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