Shirley E. Daggett

AIKEN, SC - Shirley Emily Padgett Daggett, 96, passed away peacefully at Benton House on December 21, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at St John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 1:00 pm with the Rev. Dr. Tim McClendon officiating.  A reception will follow at the church.

Shirley was born June 1, 1926 to Kyle and Louise Padgett of Lynchburg VA.   The eldest of five children, she finished high school in Lynchburg and trained as a secretary.  Following a job with the FBI, she was an executive secretary at the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge TN during World War 2.  There she met and married the love of her life, Evans (Dag) Daggett.  Following the war, they lived in Dayton, Ohio, Murray Hill, NJ, and North Canton, OH.  When Dag retired, they moved to Aiken to be close to their daughter, Gwen.

She earned her 1500-hour pin volunteering for the American Red Cross and Aiken Regional Hospital. She was also active at St John’s United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, sewing, painting, bridge, and all things social. She developed and maintained lifelong friendships and loved being with family. She and Dag traveled extensively, but at the end of every excursion, she would say “There is no place like home”. The beach and swimming were her favorite pastimes.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved Dag of 72 years in 2018. She also lost her sisters, Joan Trice and Betty Lou Lambert and her brothers Joe and Terry Lee Padgett, as well as step-grandson Daniel McBroom.  She is survived by her daughter Gwen Schwallie, Aiken, and son Thomas Evans Daggett (Susan), Canon City, CO. Her grandchildren are Jennifer Schwallie Bryson of Charlotte, NC,  Laurian Schwallie (Bryan) Eckle of Arlington VA, and step-grandson Mark (Kelly) McBroom of Arden, NC.  Great grandchildren are Ford and Evan Bryson, Abigail and Carter Eckle, and Riley McBroom.

Shirley was a dynamic intelligent woman who deeply loved her family and friends. She earned the love of many and will be missed by all.

The family wishes to thank Benton House, Enhabit Hospice, and “What You Need” employees for their loving care during her final days.

If desired, memorials may be made to St John’s Methodist Church, P.O. Box 809, Aiken SC 29802, or The American Red Cross Central SC Chapter 2751 Bull St., Columbia SC 29201.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801