Nellie Marie Sheldon

Nellie Sheldon, age 95, of Gatesville, Texas, passed into The Lord’s presence at Hillside Medical Lodge on Monday, September 1, 2025. She will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and strength — a life defined by service, faith, and an unwavering love of learning.

Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at First Methodist Church of Gatesville, Texas. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at First Methodist Church of Gatesville, officiated by Steven Schmidt. Graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Hurst Ranch Cemetery in Hamilton County.

Nellie was born on May 15, 1930, in Vivian, Louisiana, and grew up in Wright City, Texas. She excelled academically, graduating as Salutatorian of London High School in New London, Texas, where she was active in Pep Squad, Drama Club, Newspaper, Acappella Choir, Rainbow Girls, and Youth Fellowship. She went on to earn her Associate of Arts degree at Kilgore Junior College, where she joined Alpha Pi Omega, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity, and even represented her school as a delegate to the national Phi Theta Kappa convention in Bluefield, West Virginia. All while she worked at the Borden Milk Company in Tyler, Texas.

She then attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Education, with a minor in English. While at UT, she was involved in the Square Dance Club, Wesley Foundation, Choral Reading Group, Speech Club, Fencing Club, and intramural tennis. Nellie later completed her Master’s degree in Education at Baylor University, supported by a scholarship from The Texas Society for Crippled Children.

Her early career was as diverse as it was industrious — she worked as a comptometer operator, secretary, library assistant, student grader, typist, and even as a peppermint candy wrapper before finding her true calling in education. Nellie began her teaching career in Evant, Texas, where she taught English, bookkeeping, shorthand, journalism, history, physical education, and typing, while sponsoring countless school clubs. During this time she met and married Elbert Sheldon of Evant. Shortly after having their son, Phil, Elbert and Nellie settled their family in Gatesville in 1966. Nellie devoted 36 years to teaching in Texas public schools, with 24 of those years spent teaching second grade in Gatesville. Her devotion to her students and her passion for helping children succeed left an immeasurable impact on generations of learners.

Faith and service were central to Nellie’s life. She was deeply involved in the United Methodist Women, serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Mission Coordinator, and Circle Leader at both local and district levels. Nellie also held positions of Dean, Assistant Dean, and Business Manager for the School of Christian Mission. She also served on numerous committees within the Central Texas Conference, where she was the first editor of CROSSTIES. She was honored as Mission Woman of the Year in 1997.

At First Methodist Church of Gatesville, Nellie poured into every generation, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Director of Vacation Bible School, Superintendent of the Children’s Department, choir member, lay delegate to the Annual Conference, and volunteer in countless ministries.

Beyond the church, Nellie gave generously of her time and talents to her community. She was a member of the Coryell Retired Teachers Association, a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association, a Friend of the Gatesville Public Library, a member of the Coryell County and London Museums, and a leader in Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She also volunteered with the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the United Way, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts, where she served as Den Mother and Day Camp leader. She was named Educator of the Year by the Gatesville Exchange Club and served as President of the Evant Youth Center.

Her hobbies included traveling, reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with her granddaughter, Melissa — pursuits that reflected her joy in lifelong learning and creativity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Ruby Hymer; her brothers, Boyce Hymer and Sam Elsol Hymer; and her beloved husband, Elbert Sheldon.

Nellie is survived by her son Phil Sheldon of Gatesville, Texas and granddaughter Melissa Sheldon of Fort Worth, Texas. Nellie’s legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Gatesville, 2600 E. Main Street Gatesville, TX 78528.