Board Members
Michelle Dalton
Michelle is a founding member of Eternal Flames Foundation and serves as President. She is the widow of Dallas Firefighter Grant Dalton, who died from esophageal cancer July, 2017 at the young age of 58. He was with Dallas Fire-Rescue for 21 years. Grant has 2 daughters, Cara and Caitlin, who live in The Woodlands, Texas; a step daughter, Brittany (Kemp, Texas) and step-son, Mason (Trophy Club, Texas); and a total of eight grandchildren. Michelle resides in Keller, Texas.
Firefighter: Grant Dalton
1958 - 2017
Michell Washington
Michell is also a founding member of Eternal Flames Foundation and serves as Treasurer. She is the widow of Dallas Firefighter Stephen “Big Steve” Washington, who died from renal cell carcinoma kidney cancer October, 2017, at the young age of 58. Michell lives in Mesquite, TX, with her children Steve, Brittany and Rayvin.
Michell and Steve have three grandchildren,, Stephany, Kendrick Jr. and Stephen III Washington.
Firefighter: Stephen "Big Steve" Washington
1959 - 2017
Gloria Williams
Gloria serves as Secretary of Eternal Flames Foundation. She is the widow of Dallas Firefighter, Roy Winston Williams. Roy was a firefighter for 35 years and 3 months. He began his career as a Firefighter on October 20, 1975, and retired as a Second Driver on January 19, 2011. Roy was originally diagnosed with prostate cancer while an active member of the fire department. After retirement, Roy was diagnosed in 2017 and later died from glioblastoma brain cancer on July 27, 2019, at the age of 69. Due to his retirement status, Roy was not eligible for any compensation from the City of Dallas. Roy has one son, Jeremichael Williams, two daughters, Ashlee Williams and April Williams-Joiner. Son-In-Law, Brandon Joiner. Three grandchildren, Brandon and Joy Joiner, and Jaqwavion Williams.
Firefighter: Roy Winston Williams
1950 – 2019
Gloria is committed to advocate for retired firefighter’s eligibility, benefits and compensation when diagnosed with occupational illness and disease.
Executive Director
Dena Delbert Plummer
Dena is the founder of Flame Keepers and the widow of Dallas Firefighter Jeff Delbert, who died from occupational cancer November 17, 2006 at the young age of 39. In 2013, Firefighter Delbert's case was deemed a Line of Duty Death after 7 1/2 years of litigation with the City of Dallas. He died from brain cancer.
Dena has spent the years since her husband’s death pursuing state and national legislation to protect and provide for firefighters across our nation. She lives in Canton, Texas with her children and her husband, Steve Plummer.
Den was joined by other widows of firefighters who also spent years in litigation with the City of Dallas fighting for workers compensation benefits. Flame Keepers has gained strength in numbers and has since changed its name to Eternal Flames Foundation.
Firefighter: Jeff Delbert
1967 - 2006