Dreama Shirley

Ms. Dreama Earlee Graham Shirley, 84, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2019, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC.

She was born on April 1, 1935 in Roanoke, VA, to Roy M. and E. Lucille Graham.  She graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, VA in 1953 and completed additional courses at a local college.

Dreama started her career in military claims at the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. She worked at Fort Belvoir Army base as a Claims Officer for over 20 years managing the claims for that base and 12 surrounding counties. She left Fort Belvoir in 1983 to take the position as Head of the U.S. Marine Corps World-Wide Claims Program.  She worked at the Headquarters Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, VA for 10 years.  In 1993, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a retirement for with honors in formal military attire.  Shortly after her retirement, Dreama moved to Myrtle Beach, SC. She resumed working on a part-time for an additional 9 years as a Community Relations Representative contracted by the U.S. Air Force working on the Environmental Cleanup Team at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force base.

Dreama had an unending passion for people, especially her children and grandchildren.  She loved being a Mother and Grandmother and was an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives and activities.  Her family was the most rewarding part of her life and was her greatest pleasure.  The United Methodist Church was always prominent part of her life.  She was active in church groups through the years.  She like to travel, write (for herself) and enjoyed spending time on the beach.  During her post retirement years, Dreama did volunteer work with the Horry County Literacy Council, mentored 4th through 8th grade students with reading.  Dreama had such a positive outlook on life.  She felt on a world-wide view, that although there have been many changes in politics and government, but the one constant is our love of freedom.

Dreama is survived by 5 children: son Jack Shirley (Deborah) of Beverly, MA and daughters Janice Pettey (Bob) of Woodbridge, VA, Sandra Anderson of Marietta, GA, Kim Clements (John) and Kris Shirley- Endean (Craig) of Clemmons.  Grandchildren: Angie, Lee, Jen, Liz, Mary, Graham, Will and Carly.  She had several great grandchildren and great-great children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Mitchell Graham and Elsie Lucille Miles Graham, her sister Patria Mae Graham Hines and adored grandparents Harrison Spencer Miles and Lena Rivers Dillman Miles.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Clemmons United Methodist Church, 3700 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012, with Dr. J. Matthews Burton, Jr. officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Common Area of the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.