Lois Inez Martin Shelhamer

Lois Inez Martin Shelhamer, 102, formerly of Pampa, passed away October 7, 2017, at the Chisholm Place Assisted Living in Abilene, Texas. Services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, October 9, 2017 at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel in Pampa. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Lois was the daughter of William Henry and Lola Martin and was born at home on September 6, 1915 in the tiny community of Davis, Texas near Sipe Springs, Texas. Lois was born on the farm land that her parents owned. Lois attended Old Emma Elementary School grades first through eighth, and graduated from Ralls High School in Ralls, Texas. After high school graduation in 1932 and during the depression, Lois received a scholarship from Abilene Christian College and majored in math. She left ACC after one year and transferred to Texas Tech and continued math and English classes for one semester. Later in 1934, she moved to Pampa, Texas and worked at the Atkinson & Gunn Tire and Service Station where she was the bookkeeper and met her husband, E. E. “Shelly” Shelhamer. Lois was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Pampa, and Shelly was a lifelong member and deacon there.  Shelly was a WWII Veteran, and a partner of Beacon Supply Co. in Pampa.  Lois is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Elmer Elsworth “Shelly” Shelhamer, her parents William Henry and Lola Martin, her daugher-in-law, LaRue Shelhamer, and four sisters, Maymie Powell, Gladys Hudson, Lila Sue Martin, and Charlotte Lew. Lois enjoyed being a member of the Board of Trustees of High Plains Baptist Hospital in Amarillo, Texas for a few years and served as First Baptist Sunday school secretary, taught children’s Sunday school classes, and sat on the pastor search committee and building committee. She was the recipient of the 2001 Paul Harris Rotary Club winner the same year that her husband, “Shelly” Shelhamer received the award. Lois and Shelly traveled to many countries and she loved to tell the story of attending the Rotary club meetings from the International Rotary Club directory while traveling. Once, in Jerusalem, Israel, she and Shelly attended a Rotary meeting that was only presented in Hebrew, so the Jerusalem Rotary Club provided an English translator for them. Survivors include three children: Dr. Gene M. Shelhamer and his wife Carolyn; Dr. James H. Shelhamer and his wife Dr. Ruth Whiteside; and her daughter Pam Grant and fiance, Mickey Sims. Always a hostess for the family Christmas dinners until 2015, Lois leaves a large family legacy of ten grandchildren: Dee Howard and husband Greg; Melissa Burns and husband Kevin; Lori Patterson and husband Brad; Dr. Alan Shelhamer and his wife Dr. Gina Blakeman; Melanie Sherrill and husband Steve; Kristi Muelhstein and husband Chuck; Dr. Lindsay Grant and her husband Dr. Rex Foster; Ian Grant and wife Brooke; Joel Grant; Claire Neill and husband Dr. Justin Neill; seventeen great grandchildren: Matt Howard and wife Julie; Sara Brawner and husband B. J.; Lahne Burns and wife Maury; Lauren Burns; Lance Burns; Lindy Patterson; Laney Patterson; Amelia Shelhamer; Grace Shelhamer; Aiden Shelhamer; Rowan Foster; Vera Mae Foster; Olivia Grant; Owen Grant; Jamie Neill; Camden Neill; and Mia LaRue Muelhstein: seven great great grandchildren Jude Howard; Ellsworth Brawner; Flora Brawner; IV Brawner; Pace Brawner; Jones Brawner; and Elyn Burns. Memorial gifts may be sent to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066.The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday October 8, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.