Ruth Stella Shellenberger passed away Thursday, June 13th in Wimberly, TX. Ruth was born January 21, 1923 in Welsh, LA, the only child of Clarence and Elsie Monger.
After growing up on her family’s rice farm near Fenton, LA, Ruth attended Northwestern State University, graduating with a degree in education. She married Rex Shellenger in 1945 and moved to Waco, TX where Rex attended Baylor University. They made Texas their permanent home, moving to Hillsboro, and then settling in Orange for the remainder of their life together.
In Orange, Ruth was a dedicated English teacher for close to 30 years. After her husband’s death, she moved to Beaumont and joined Calder Baptist Church where she enjoyed many friendships and looked forward to volunteering at the church library every Monday.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by three sons, Steve and wife, Rita, Don and wife, Elaine and Greg and wife Kim; five grandchildren, Angie McMillan and husband, Jared, Michael Shellenberger, Collin Shellenberger, Melissa Jezek and husband, Josh, and Megan Shellenberger and four great-grandchildren; Tate, Grayson, Ella and Sophie.
Ruth’s graciousness and smile will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Calder Baptist Church Library at 1005 North Eleventh Street, Beaumont, TX 77702.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, 1155 North 11th St., Beaumont. A gathering of friends and family will be from 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM service. Interment will take place at 12:00 Noon, Monday, June 17 at Oaklawn Cemetery on Beaufort St. in Welsh, LA.