Jean Lois (Guy) Shelby

Jean was born June 1, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, to Emmett and Naomi Guy. She attended schools in Dallas and graduated from Adamson High School in 1955. Jean graduated from Baylor University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree and taught Home Economics in Crockett and San Antonio.  It was at Baylor that she met the love of her life, Everett Shelby Jr.  They were married in 1964 and moved to Mt. Vernon, Texas, in 1966, soon after the birth of their first child.

As her children grew up, Jean was active in their Scout Troops, baseball and softball teams, Church and school activities. 

Jean was a member of Key Club, and with the members of that Club, was successful in starting the Franklin County Public Library.  In 1980, Jean began working part-time for the newly established Library.  In 1987, while still working at the Library, Jean assisted in starting the library’s adult education programs as the Assistant Director of the Literacy Project, sponsored by Northeast Texas Community College. In 1992, she became the Director of the Literacy Project, assisting many students to learn to read, to learn English through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program and to earn their GED diplomas.  In 1995, Jean became the Head Librarian and continued her work with the Literacy Project.  In recognition of her years of work with area literacy programs, the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education named Jean the 1996-97 “Adult Education Part-Time Teacher of the Year”.  Jean retired as Head Librarian in 2002 and retired as the Director of the Literacy Project in 2014. Her support of and service to her community through her work at the Library and the Literacy Project brought her great satisfaction throughout her career and her family was very proud of her.  

Jean loved to spend time with her children, son-in-law, Chad, daughter-in-law, Stacie, and her beloved dog Butchie.  She had a passion for travel and was a member of the First National Bank First Explorers, traveling to places such as Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Hawaii, New York and New England. Near or far, Jean loved visiting new places and having adventures.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Everett J. Shelby, Jr.

Jean is survived by her son, Everett Shelby III and wife, Stacie; daughter, Erin Williams and husband, Chad; niece, Diana Waggoner and husband, Mark; great-nephew, Blake Waggoner and wife, Kelsi; and great-nephew, Blaine Waggoner.
 

Graveside services will be Tuesday, April 8th, at the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, TX, at 3:00 PM with Bro. Pepper Puryear officiating.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin County Library. 

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