Lesley Shelburne, Sr

Lesley Bryan Shelburne, Sr.
ABILENE
Lesley Bryan Shelburne, Sr., beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away March 19, 2017, at the age of 98, welcomed into Heaven by his Savior and the loved ones who have gone before him.
Lesley was the third child born to Thomas E. Shelburne and Ittlean Caudle Shelburne in Eastland, TX, on October 4, 1918, shortly after the death of a two-year-old brother. The family moved to Hamlin, where another brother and two sisters joined the family, although the younger brother also died tragically when Lesley was 10 years old. Lesley attended Hamlin schools and met the girl who would one day be his wife, Betty Myrle Routh. He was eleven when Betty enrolled in the Hamlin school at age 10. After graduation Lesley attended John Tarleton College for a year and a half, although the Depression made advanced education difficult to pursue. He returned to Hamlin to work with his father and brother building homes, schools and other buildings.
As war approached Lesley pursued Betty Myrle, outlasting all competition. They married on April 21, 1940. The next year their first son, Lesley Bryan, Jr., was born and Lesley moved the young family to Ft. Worth where he worked as a riveter in the aircraft industry. Lesley was called up for military service, and while in Army training, he and Betty became parents of a second son, Thomas David.
Lesley landed in Le Havre, France with a mortar squad in the 94th Infantry Division, which was absorbed into General Patton's 3rd Army as they neared the German border. During the fighting he was wounded by shrapnel and spent time in the hospital. After his recovery from his wound and infection - thanks to the new drug Penicillin - he eventually served in Czechoslovakia with the Army of the Occupation before returning to his family in Hamlin.
In 1947 twin daughters, Sarah Lynne and Sharon Anne joined the family, followed by a second set of twins, Judith Kay and Janice Gay, on the same day six years later. Son James Marshall was born in 1955 and youngest daughter Linda Carol in 1959 completed the family. In 1960 he moved the family to Snyder, where they lived until 1979, when they moved back to Hamlin to care for Betty's elderly mother.
Lesley was a stern but devoted father to his large family and set an example of devotion to his faith as well. Often on Saturday night he would line up numerous pairs of little shoes to be polished to be presentable for Sunday School the next day. He regularly sat with the younger children while Betty sang in the choir. He also served as a deacon in the church for many years.
As his family grew up and moved away, Lesley and Betty enjoyed traveling to visit them, whether in Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, New York or even Germany. He enjoyed family reunions, playing "42" or Chicken Foot with whoever visited.
Lesley was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delma, Harold, and James, and sisters Clara Sellers and Frances Phipps, as well as his youngest daughter Linda Carol Shelburne, grandson Aaron Teer, and great-grandson Zeb Montgomery.
Lesley is survived by his loving wife, Betty; seven children, Bryan and wife Sareta, Tom and wife Sally, Sarah Darnell and husband Larry, Anne Russell and husband Doc, Judy Montgomery and husband Rick, Jan Teer and husband Mike, and Jim and wife Ronda. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren: Kerri Thompson (Doug), Darren Shelburne (Robin), Tom Shelburne, Jr, (Lesli), Sarah North (Barrie), Elizabeth DeMichele (Mike), Rev. Will Shelburne (Sara), Jason Williams (Kim), Jeremy Williams, Jennifer Imboden (Shea), Chris Russell, Layne Johnson, Dana Russell, David Montgomery (Ronna), Daniel Montgomery (Laura), Jeffrey Montgomery (Valerie), Eric Teer (Wendy), (Amber Teer, Aaron's widow), Dr. Bethany Teer Norberg (Jeremy), Andrew Teer (Lauren), Lindsay Holland (Ben), Nathan Shelburne (Avery), and Adam Shelburne. Also surviving are 4 step-grandchildren, Jeannie Darnell, Jennifer Fox, Jimmy Darnell (Lisa) and Paul Darnell (Kacey). Additional survivors include cousins, nephews and nieces, and 65 great-grandchildren.
Betty and the family would like to give heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful caregivers and staff at Northern Oaks Nursing Home, who did so much to make Lesley comfortable and happy during his last months. Also many thanks go to Kinder Hearts Hospice Care.
Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm Friday at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene. Service will be 1:00 pm Saturday at Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2910 S. 20th, Abilene, officiated by Bro. Mike Woodard. Graveside service will be 3:30 pm at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery in Hamlin. All services under the guidance of Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home.
If preferred in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, Hamlin, TX (www.fbchamlin.com); Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2901 S. 20th, Abilene, TX; or to the Zeb's Foundation (zebstrong.com), which provides soccer balls to disadvantaged children around the world in memory of great-grandson Zeb Montgomery; or to a charity of one's choice.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 Hwy 277 South
Abilene, TX
Friday, March 24, 2017
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral

Southwest Park Baptist Church
2910 S. 20th
Abilene, TX
Saturday, March 25, 2017
1:00 pm

Graveside

Hamlin Memorial Cemetery
Hamlin, TX
Saturday, March 25, 2017
3:30 pm

Cemetery

Hamlin Memorial Cemetery
2 mi E. of traffic light on TX-92
Hamlin, TX  79520