Billie L. Shelton

Billie L. Shelton, 84, passed away September 20, 2012, at her home in Laneville, Texas. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, George "Bud" Shelton, parents, William and Elsie Gauntner; sisters, Dorothy Sylvester and Elsie Milbrandt.Services will be held at Crawford-A Crim Funeral Home, 1414 South Main, Henderson, Texas on Saturday, September 22, 2012.Visitation will be from12:30 - 2:00 PM, with her Funeral to follow. Burial at Neeley Cemetary, FM 839, Goodsprings, following her service.Billie grew up in Seal Beach, California and remained there until she met the love of her life, George Shelton. She then moved to Texas to marry him at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station Chapel in Corpus Christi, Texas. They were blessed with two sons, John and William. After moving to the Houston area, she taught school in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District for a number of years. She was very active in her church and started Wee Wuns, a mother's day out program which later became a fully accredited pre-school and celebrated their 40th anniversary in May of this year. After moving to East Texas in 1973, she resided in the Laneville area until her death. She was blessed and proud to live on the "3BarS Ranch" where she and Bud built their home, with their own hands, and help from Bud's brothers. Together they raised cattle, gardened, fished, and enjoyed the beauty of God's country. They enjoyed nothing more than having family and friends come and spend time together with them on the 3BarS. Billie was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church since 1973 where she taught Sunday School and served on the Administrative Board and Council on Ministries for a number of years. She also served as President and Secretary of the Women's Day Circle group. She again helped organize and open the first Mother's Day Out Program in Henderson at St. Paul's Methodist Church in 1974. She directed and taught in the program for 13 years.Billie volunteered at the Rusk County Library for 17 years where she established and coordinated the volunteer program in the Genealogy Department. She served on the Friends of the Library Board for 11 years. She also served as Election Clerk and then Election Judge for Rusk County Precinct 4 for a number of years.Faith, family and friends were the priorities in her life. We would like to give our heart-felt thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Heart to Heart Hospice, especially Susan Hill and Amanda Venable, for providing Billie with their love and encouragement, which allowed her the dignity she needed to continue her fight against cancer these past months. Also, the family would like to extend a special thank you, to JoAnn Tucker and Ruth Hammett, for filling her last days with joy and comfort.Survived by: Sons: John D. Shelton and wife, Danette; and William (Buddy) SheltonGrandchildren, Josh Shelton; Shawna Krolczyk and husband Blake; Thomas Shelton and wife, Angela; Melinda Shelton and fiancee Seth Moser Great Grandchildren: Luke, Shayne and Brooke KrolczykNumerous nieces, nephews and friends.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Methodist Church, 2212 Hwy 79 South, Henderson, Texas. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Billie L. Shelton

October 11, 1927 - September 20, 2012