Betty Myrle (Routh) Shelburne (1919 - 2018)

Born 11 Sep 1919 in Hamlin, Jones, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Lesley Bryan Shelburne Sr. — married 21 Apr 1940 in Hamlin, Jones, Texas, United States

Died 24 Oct 2018 at age 99 in Abilene, Taylor, Texas, United States

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Biography

Betty was living with her parents in Jones Co., Texas during the 1920, 1930, and 1940 census.

Betty Myrle's obituary:

Betty Myrle Routh Shelburne went to join her beloved husband Lesley Shelburne and other loved ones in the presence of her Lord on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. She lived a life devoted to her family, her church, and others. She will be remembered by all for her kindness and good nature, her curiosity and interest in their lives and activities, her optimism and her example of unconditional love.

Family dominated her thoughts, and she considered their milestones and accomplishments part of her riches. For years she sent Christmas cards with a note and a $2 bill to each of seven surviving children and spouses, 22 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren. Some saved and treasured each one.

Both frugal and generous, ahead of her time on issues like recycling, she stayed current on public affairs, voting in most elections. Even in her last months she participated in and helped lead a Bible study with her friends.

Betty Myrle was born in Hamlin on September 11, 1919, to Thomas Jefferson Routh and Gertrude Elizabeth Rothell Routh. They lived in Ft. Worth, then Olney, joined by her sister, Dorothy Fern, when she was 5. Betty was ten when the Depression changed life for so many, and they moved back to Hamlin, living with her grandparents until her marriage. At one time the household included three families. Times were hard, but family ties were close.

Betty met Lesley Shelburne upon moving to Hamlin. She graduated as Valedictorian of their class; Lesley maintained he was smart enough to marry her! After graduation, Betty attended college at Mary Hardin Baylor College. Returning to Hamlin, she worked as secretary for First Baptist Church. Lesley proposed and they were married on April 21, 1940, after the church service. The pastor announced the wedding vows would be exchanged after the service and anyone who wanted to do so could leave. No one left.

The new couple lived first in Brownwood then in Ft. Worth, where he worked in aircraft construction. Their first son was born in January of 1941. When Lesley was drafted, Betty returned to Hamlin and gave birth to their second son. Awaiting Lesley's return, Betty stayed busy with her young family. After the war the couple settled in Hamlin and in 1947 twin daughters were born; in 1953, another set of twin daughters, arrived on the 6th birthday of the first twins. In 1955, another son and in 1959 another daughter completed the family. Betty was helped by her parents, whose farmhouse was a favorite retreat for the children.

In 1960, the family moved to Snyder where all but one of the children graduated from public school; the oldest had graduated from Hamlin High School and was attending Hardin Simmons University. In Snyder, Betty conducted censuses and substitute-taught until she and her sister bought a Christian bookstore, which Betty ran until its sale in 1978, when she and Lesley moved back to Hamlin to care for Betty's mother.

After Gertrude's death, Betty worked in the hospital pharmacy. In 2001 she suffered a stroke but, according to her cardiologist, made the best recovery of all her patients, attributed in large measure to the prayers of family, church and friends as well as excellent medical care.

Grieving deeply after daughter Carol's death in 2005, Betty and Lesley moved to Abilene, helped by daughter Lynne and husband Larry Darnell. They joined Southwest Park Baptist Church, attending as health permitted. Betty and Lesley were favorites of the staff at Northern Oaks Nursing Home, with his cheerful songs and her treating each one she met - resident or staff - as a new friend.

Survivors include 7 children, Col.-ret. Bryan (Sareta), Tom (Sally), Sarah Darnell (Larry), Anne Russell (Doc), Judy Montgomery (Rick), Jan Teer (Mike), and Jim (Ronda). Also surviving are 21 grandchildren: Kerri Thompson (Doug), Darren (Robin), Tom Jr. (Lesli), Sarah North (Barrie), Elizabeth Shelburne (Mike DeMichele), Rev. Will (Sara), Jason Williams (Kim), Jeremy Williams, Jennifer Imboden (Shea), Chris Reeves, Layne Johnson, Dana Russell, David Montgomery (Ronna), Daniel (Laura), Jeffrey Montgomery (Valerie), Eric Teer (Wendy), (Amber Teer, Aaron's widow), Dr. Bethany Norberg (Jeremy), Andrew Teer (Lauren), Lindsay Holland (Ben), Nathan Shelburne (Avery), and Adam Shelburne. Also surviving are 4 Step-grandchildren, Jeannie Darnell, Jennifer Case (Carl), Jimmy Darnell (Lisa) and Paul Darnell (Kacey). Also 65 great-grandchildren, and cousins, nephews and nieces.

Betty Myrle Routh Shelburne has gone to her reward in Heaven, missed and celebrated by her family and friends, who are grateful to her doctors and the caring nurses and staff at Northern Oaks Nursing Home, and especially Kinder Hearts Hospice Care RN Leslie Boggess and Volunteer Jennifer Witt . Visitation will be 2:30 - 4:30 pm Sunday at Elmwood Funeral Home. Her funeral will be at 10:00 am Monday at Southwest Park Baptist Church in Abilene. Graveside service at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery at 2:30 Monday. Thanks also to Adams Foster Ray Funeral Home.

Sources

• Find A Grave memorial no. 194287859.

See 1920, 1930, and 1940 census under Betty's father's profile.