Maryelyn W. Shelby

Maryelyn Wallace Shelby passed away in Houston, Texas, on February 8, 2016, at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony (“Tony”) O. Shelby; brother, Robert (“Bob”) G. Wallace, and parents, Sarah Elizabeth (Anguish) Wallace and Glenn McKenzie Wallace.

Maryelyn is lovingly remembered by surviving daughter, Phyllis E. Wilson of Houston; daughter, Margaret E. Overby (Archie) of Waupaca, WI; son, Steven W. Shelby (Jane) of Friendswood; daughter, Tonia E. Shelton (Tony) of Fayetteville, AR; 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Born in Haywood, OK on June 2, 1921, Maryelyn spent much of her early life in Oklahoma. She graduated from Henrietta (Oklahoma) High School, and later attended junior college in Okmulgee, OK. After her marriage to Tony, she worked for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Victoria, TX, and later for the Shreiner Institute of Kerrville, TX. After serving for twelve years as a representative for Shreiner for the Gulf Coast Region, she retired to devote her full attention to raising her children. During the Second World War, Tony Shelby served in the Air Force. After the end of the War, Tony and Maryelyn settled in Houston.

Maryelyn loved animals, and enjoyed sewing, knitting, baking and traveling, but her true joy came from her family. She will be remembered as Maryelyn, a devoted wife; Mom, a nurturing mother, and Mimi, a loving grand-mother and great-grandmother.

Maryelyn was a longtime member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of Maryelyn’s life will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, on Saturday, February 13, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Maryelyn will be laid to rest at Memorial Oaks immediately following the memorial service.