Shirley Trammell

Shirley Wilemena Trammell was born on March 20, 1937 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Thomas Luke Willams and the late Eunice Williams and is the fourth youngest of 8 children. Shirley attended Newark public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1957.

Shirley met the love of her life Madison Dale Trammell II and the two were married on July 11 1959 in Newark NJ by Rev. CH Walters of the New Hope Baptist Church of Newark. From this union they welcomed two children, Madison Dale Trammell III and Susan Kay Trammell. After spending the first half of her life in Newark, Shirley and her family relocated to Plainfield, NJ in 1976.

Shirley was employed by Newark Public Schools as a teaching assistant in the Department of Children & Special Services at the Burnet Street School for 30 years.

After retirement Shirley spent her time focused on her family and her hobbies. She loved to crochet, play bingo and travel. Every year she, her husband Dale, best friends Liz & Raymond Harding, and brother Richard Williams would go on a cruise traveling to different parts of the world. Shirley loved to cook and would prepare Sunday dinner for her family and anyone who found their way to her home after Sunday morning service, usually by the invitation of her grandchildren, Nicole, Corey and Kerry Trammell. She welcomed her guests with love and always treated them like family.

After joining The Mount Olive Baptist Church, Shirley became a member of the Greeter’s Ministry and shared her warm and caring spirit with all who entered through the doors. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths”

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Eunice Williams; her sisters Bessie Harding, Doris Marion, Marion Williams and Lorraine Williams; her brothers Robert “Bobby” Williams and Thomas Luke Williams (Sonny); her son Madison Dale Trammell III and her grandson Elijah David Trammell.

As Shirley’s health was beginning to decline her desire was to be with the Lord and she was called home to Glory on August 9, 2025 at Overlook Hospital, Summit NJ.

Celebrating in Shirley’s life is her husband, Madison Dale Trammell II. (Plainfield, NJ); her brother Richard Williams (Plainfield, NJ); her daughter Susan Kay Trammell (Plainfield, NJ); her daughter-in-law Karen D. Trammell (Plainfield, NJ); her granddaughter Nicole Lynn Trammell (Plainfield, NJ); her grandsons Corey Nathaniel Trammell (Shakira) of Burlington, N.J. and Kerry J. Trammell (Chesney) of Somerset, N.J.; her great grandchildren: Kerry J.Trammell Jr., Cameron J Trammell, Kaydence J. Trammell, Chase J. Trammell, Naadia Trammell, Cairo Trammell and Madison Nicole Trammell; she also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews; great nieces; nephews; church family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caretaker Shirley U. Hooks and Yolanda and Natasha Smith of the Care One at the Highlands Nursing Facility.