MRS. BEBE JANET SHELLMAN

MRS. BEBE JANET KELLEY SHELLMAN, age 82, of 7202 Church Street, Bartow, GA passed away on Monday, January 26th, 2026. Family and friends may call at the funeral home. FREEMAN FUNERAL HOME, WRENS oversees all arrangements.

Born in Wrens, Georgia to the late Clarence and Virginia Kelley, she was a woman whose life was defined by service, faith, and deep love for her family and community. At a young age, she moved to Rochester, New York, where she would grow and build the foundation of a remarkable life. She graduated from Madison High School and dedicated 20 years of faithful service to Xerox, where her strong work ethic and commitment never went unnoticed.

While living in Rochester, she was an active and devoted member of Memorial AME Zion Church. There, she served faithfully as church secretary and was a proud member of both the gospel choir and the missionary board, finding joy in worship and service to others.

On November 22, 1984, she married the love of her life, Lee Edward Shellman Jr. Together they moved to Bartow, Georgia, where she joined her family church, Wrens Chapel AME Church. Her faith remained a guiding force as she served on the Trustee Board and became a life member of the Eola K.Brown Women's Missionary Board, continuing her lifelong dedication to church and community.

Bebe devoted her professional life to caring for and uplifting others. She worked as a paraprofessional at Louisville Academy and later as a corrections officer at Washington State Prison. Her passion for justice and equality led her to serve as President of the Jefferson County Branch of the NAACP and as a City Councilwoman for the City of Bartow, where she worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those she served.

Above all, she cherished her family. She leaves to treasure her memory her daughters, Wendy Jones, Ann (Grant) Young, and Shenna (Gil) Jones; her beloved grandchildren, Jazsmine Young, Justin Young, Cleo(Stephen) McPerson-Smith, John (Danielle) McPherson, Virginia McPherson, Samantha McIntyre, Gianna Jones, and Journey Jones; and her adored great-grandchildren, Khloe, Christopher, Nylah, Amyrah, Amylah, Aremious, Maylah, and India. She is also lovingly remembered by her nephew, DuJuan Kelley.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Lee Edward Shellman Jr.; her parents, Clarence and Virginia Kelley; and her brother, Donnie.

Her legacy of faith, service, leadership, and unconditional love will continue to live on through all who

were blessed to know her.