Shirley Janelle McElwee

As day turned to dusk on November 19, 1937, Shirley Janelle McElwee was born into the loving family of Lucy and Allen Hill in Springer Station, Tennessee. She was welcomed by her sister Dorothy and together the family later welcome brother Charles and sister Collen. The family moved to the Port Arthur/Groves, Texas area in 1942 and to Texas City in September of 1949, where Shirley attended High School. She very quickly recognized the importance of education and work ethics. She attended the University of Minnesota, South Texas School of Law and graduate studies at the University of Maryland with FEMA. She has been a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Texas city since 1949.

While working in the field of law, Shirley was instrumental in establishing the paralegal certification program with the State Bar of Texas and was among the first paralegals in the State to be certified. She was employed by Simpson & Hancock and Royston, Rayzor & Cook for over 15 years. She was with the legal department of Oceaneering International Inc and Assistant to the President/Owner and an officer of Coral Petroleum, Inc for 17 years. Her professional life then centered around Mary Kay Cosmetics for the next 17 years as a Senior Director during which time she assisted over 200 consultants to establish and enjoy success in their own business. That company recognized her leadership abilities by awarding her every free automobile offered by the company, including the famed pink Cadillac numerous times. Having a very strong desire to continue her work in helping others, Shirley joined the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) in 1998 to assist disaster victims throughout the United States. She was a charter member of the Department of Homeland Security and was continuously recognized for her contribution to survivors of disasters. Shirley was known as a very competent, accomplished leader and garnered may awards and commendations throughout her professional life. She was known as a lady with elegance, style and independence and a heart as big as Texas.

Shirley was always taking care of others; that was her motto. Always look for the best in everyone and everything. She shared her love, her passions, her careers, her travels, her adventures and her caring with everyone she came in contact with. She was taught at her beloved father’s knee and was a very astute student which knowledge she has passed along to her daughter, Star. She knew at a very, very early age that there was a great life out there, and she set out to find it for herself and her loved ones. And she succeeded!

Preceded in death by her true soulmate and love of her life, James Madison McElwee, son, David Michael Christopher, parents Allen and Lucy Hill and brother Charles Hill. She is survived by her “True Star”, her daughter Star Black of Kennesaw, Georgia and grandson Marc Smith and his wife Emily of West Virginia as well as her beloved stepsons who were so much a part of her life, James Brent McElwee of Austin, Texas and Barry Scott McElwee and his wife Jeanne of Nederland, Texas. She is survived by the unbelievable McElwee grandchildren, Ryan and Cory of Austin, Texas, Erin, Julia and Jason of Nederland Texas, as well as great grandchildren Emily and Izabelle Smith of Alpena, Michigan. Also survived by sisters Dorothy Wesley of Magnolia, Texas and Collen Gore of Azle, Texas as well as a host of friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and warm and fuzzy hearts all over this great world!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the McElwee family.