Mrs. Shirley Raye Biggs McKellar aka "Candy," was born on April 1, 1945, in Tyler, TX, and was a lifelong resident of Smith County. She was a proud, Class of 1963, graduate of Emmett Scott High School, and attended Texas College. She became a member of North Star Missionary Baptist Church at a young age; and joined People's Missionary Baptist Church, for several years until she felt a call to return to North Star, the church her grandfather founded.

After working for Sterling Faucet and Carrier for several years each, Shirley became employed with General Electric (now Trane), from which she retired after 30 years. During these years, Shirley, a local civic and civil rights activist and leader, was an active member of IUE-CWA and A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI). She helped to organize the Tyler chapter of APRI, and fought hard to ensure voting education and registration for local and statewide citizens.

Shirley frequently joked that upon retirement from Trane, she would obtain employment as a greeter at her favorite retail store, Walmart, but that never came to fruition. She instead spent her retirement years as the self-appointed "Sheriff" of North Ross Ave.; being the best ever grandmother to her beloved grandchildren; and later caring for her beloved husband after he became ill, until she became ill.

Shirley loved listening to music, but was an even bigger lover of dancing. It was pure joy experiencing her joy as she cut quite the rug on the dancefloor, whether that floor was in a dancehall or in her kitchen. She also loved to sing and would greet all of her loved ones with their own personal birthday song each year.

A champion of the common man/woman, and/or underdog, Shirley's generous, huge and giving heart never allowed anyone in her presence to go without, whether that was temporary shelter, a sandwich and drink placed in a brown paper bag for the recipient to take "on down the road," or simply one of her beautiful smiles. She literally would give the shoes off of her feet to anyone in need, and truly believed that everyone is valuable no matter their status in life. This generosity, first and foremost, extended to her immediate family. She greatly loved and was fiercely proud and protective of her children, grandchildren, and great grands.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Henry O. McKellar; her parents, Oliver and Justine Preston Biggs, Sr.; and four siblings; Mack Wallace, Jerry Wallace, Baby Ruth Biggs, and Charles Wayne Biggs.

On Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 6:15p, the Lord called Shirley from labor to reward of rest and peace.  She leaves to cherish her memories two loving and doting daughters: Twanna Buford-Bowen (Roger), Manor, Texas and TaLisia McKellar (Quintin Wesley, fiancé), Tyler, Texas; five grandchildren: DaJuan O'dell McKellar (Ashley), Austin, Texas; Cerone Ates, II; Kadasion "Tank" McKellar, ( Ambricia Morgan, fiancé); Lakimbrick "Baby" Horn; and Trinity Stewart, all of Tyler; and four great-grandchildren: Lyric Ates, Devin McKellar, Corey McKellar, and Khelani Horn; siblings: Jean Flowers, Pearlie Jones (Jimmy Sr.), Oliver Biggs, Jr. (Brenda), and Harold Biggs (Maria); beloved bonus children: Angela Johnson Lacy (Bennie) and Travis Johnson, Jr. (Krystal); and several in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.