Lela May Shelburne

Lela May Shelburne left this earthly home to join her loved ones in heaven on Saturday, November 5, 2011 surrounded by her family and loved ones. Lela May was born on February 29, 1924 in Hillsboro, Texas to William Hayes and Ethel Sparks Hayes. Lela May made a personal profession of faith in the Methodist Church early on in her life and continued her commitment to Jesus Christ, until the last day of her life. She worked the past few years on the Shoe Box Ministry through her church, and was looking forward to completing more boxes this year. Her fondness for children and her compassion to children that were handicapped or less fortunate were always top in her mind and heart.

She lost her father shortly after her birth and was raised by her cousin, Jewel Sparks. Lela May attended North Texas State Teachers College completing her degree in 1948. She was a part of the Greatest Generation, and while attending college, she worked in the Dallas-Fort Worth area building B-25 bombers during World War II. She joked about working inside the cock pits of the aircraft, soldering instrument panels. Later her skills would provide assistance to her husband on their farm. Following graduation, she began her teaching career in Norton, Texas, where she met a farmer, part-time school bus driver, named Milton Shelburne, and they later married on August 23, 1949, in Hillsboro, Texas. Lela May worked in the teaching field in Miles, Norton, and Ballinger before her retirement. She was especially fond of music and played the piano for several groups in the Norton-Ballinger area. She played for her family and the nursing facility until very recently and never lost her enthusiasm for music or people.

Lela May and Milton moved to San Angelo in 2007 following his personal illness, and she made her home with her son Harold and wife La Queta Shelburne, until she became ill and required additional medical support. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Milton Shelburne. Survivors, include her two sons and their wives, Harold Shelburne and La Queta, Kent Shelburne and Adela all of San Angelo, Texas. Others left to mourn her passing, include sister-in-law, Betty Stewart of Farwell, Texas, Grandchildren: Mercyla Fly and husband, Brad, Michael Dela Cerda and wife Jennifer, Kent Jr. and wife Lilly Shelburne, Rebecca Sparks, Meagan Hunnicutt and husband Tim, and Teri Shelburne, all of San Angelo, and Mesha Millsap and husband, Allen, of San Antonio, Texas. Additionally she is survived by eleven great grandchildren: Abigayle Shelburne, Amory Fly, Kemper Fly, Mackenzie Millsap, Wesley Sparks, Tommy Mendez, Michael Dela Cerda, Brandon Dela Cerda, and Brittany Dela Cerda, Dayanara Rueda, and Clarissa Rueda

The family will be receiving guests at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger on Tuesday, November 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 9that Garden of Memories Cemetery in Ballinger at 11:00 AM, with a memorial services to follow at 3:00 PM at First Methodist Church in San Angelo, Texas.

The family would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr. John Harvey, Senior Care Nursing Center, and Vista Care Hospice for their support and care of Lela May during her illness. Ministers: Nathanial Hankins, Cheri Harris, Mark Deaton, and J.T. Tucker; special friends through First Methodist Church Senior Mature Adult Outreach, and special visitor Kay Peek. No words can express our special thanks for the many years of care by Floy Lumbley and to Maggie Zapata, and the Interim Health Care Services; friends of First Methodist Church that have ministered to our entire family, West Side Lions Club, and Xi Alpha Nu Members of Beta Sigma Phi; truly our lives have been touched by your compassion to our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Methodist Church, Westside Lions Club, or your favorite charity.