Shelby Oldigs

1939 - 2025

Shelby Jean Oldigs, 86, of Huffman, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Born near Melvern, Iowa, to Louis and Velma Woods, Shelby brought warmth, kindness, and brightness into the lives of all who knew her.

At the age of one Shelby, an only child, and her parents moved to a small farm near Tabor, Iowa, while her father was employed at Martin Aircraft, testing aircraft engines before installation. At the end of the war the plant closed, and Shelby's family packed up and traveled to California by auto, where her father was then employed as an auto mechanic. After some two years, the family became unsatisfied and traveled up the coast to Oregon, but after becoming involved in a forest fire, they then decided to return to Iowa. On the way, they stopped at her mother's sister's home in Columbus, Nebraska. Her uncle was involved in home building; they then remained in Nebraska while her father worked on motel construction for an older fellow that also owned a Texaco station. Her father then took over the Texaco station and they then settled down in Columbus, where Shelby attended school and graduated from Columbus High School.

During and after high school, she was employed at BD Medical and Dale Electronics, where she met her future husband, Richard Oldigs. They were later married on December 29, 1959. Four years later, Richard resigned from Dale's and re-enlisted in the US Navy to attend a year of advanced electronic training. With their two small sons, Shelby and Richard traveled to San Francisco, Treasure Island while living in Pleasanton. They then moved to San Diego and lived in Ocean Beach for the summer of 1964. The family then transferred to Norfolk, VA and lived in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1968, the family transferred to Houston, TX. In 1976, Shelby and her family moved, for the next 48 years, with their four sons to the outskirts of Houston on the shore of Lake Houston, near Huffman, TX. Shelby's extended family is now scattered across the state of Texas and Harris County, TX.

Shelby was much loved by many less fortunate friends of the boys. They couldn't believe the boys' mother made them pancakes for breakfast each morning before school. After the boys left home, Shelby spent many months caring for her father in the 90's for various health problems. in 2001 he passed on, and instead of instead of selling his home on a small lake, she and Richard decided to spend their summers there. Richard retired soon after Shelby's father passed, and the couple spent the next 22 summers in Nebraska.

For 66 wonderful years, Shelby shared her life with Richard, her beloved husband and the love of her life. Together they built a home filled with laughter and love, raising four sons. As a devoted homemaker, Shelby had a gift for making everyone feel safe, welcome, and cherished. Her door was always open, and her heart even more so.

Shelby had many passions that brought her joy and allowed her to share her gifts with others. An avid Houston Astros fan, she cheered faithfully for her team through every season. Her creative spirit shone through countless projects, from knitting hats for newborns at Texas Children's Hospital to crocheting beautiful masterpieces for family and friends. She also found peace in working puzzles and coloring books, and was known for her competitive edge in Scrabble, where her wit and vocabulary were unmatched.

Shelby was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Woods and Velma Holden. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her surviving family: her devoted husband, Richard Oldigs; sons Brian Oldigs, Mikal Oldigs, Roger Oldigs (Kim), and Billy Oldigs (Michelle); granddaughters Theresa Cases, Samantha Bingman, Meagan Wilson (Canyon), and Kaylie Oldigs; grandsons Ryan Oldigs, Collin Oldigs, and Kyle Oldigs; great-granddaughters Abigail Mae and Macy Jean; and great-grandsons Jaden and Kaleb.

Shelby's gentle spirit, generous heart, and the love she gave so freely will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched and the family she so lovingly nurtured.