Shelly Stover

October 10, 1951 - June 21, 2013

Shelly Stover, 61, passed away Friday, June 21, 2013 in Madisonville, Texas after spending the day doing what she loved, volunteering her time to help a friend in need.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2013, at The First United Methodist Church in Madisonville. Dr. George Wilson and Bro. Reagan Cooksey will officiate. Following the service, the family will receive visitors in The Wesley Hall.

Shelly was born on October 10, 1951, in College Station, Texas, to Elvin Lawrence Barnes and Ruby Marcel Bishop. She attended Huntsville schools through her junior year and graduated from Madisonville High School in 1969 where she met her husband, Luther Craig Stover, and later married on May 22, 1976.

She was in her element when absorbed in fashion and design, beginning with her work at Felder's, a clothing store in Huntsville. After moving to Dallas, she worked at the Dallas Market Center in a clothing store, and upon returning to Huntsville, she bought Rita's Hallmark and renamed it "Just Shelly's", where she sold gifts and clothes. Recently, you could find Shelly at a local boutique (Gypsy Dolls) playing in the clothes and helping customers find just what they needed.

Shelly was known for her great sense of style, but her true passion was helping others, especially the children under the care of Madison County Child Protective Services. She volunteered many hours, whether it in the middle of the night or day, she was prepared to be there for a child in need. Shelly is President of The Madison County Child Protective Services Board and the Regional President for the Central Texas Council Child Protective Service Board. For her undying commitment to her community, she was awarded the Jefferson Award in 2006, an honor she and her family are most proud of. Whatever the need may have been, she always found time to help a friend or family member, and it would have been done with a smile and great enthusiasm!

Shelly supported and loved her community. Over the years she served our county through the following organizations: The First United Methodist Church, The Madison County Fair Association, The Madison County Chamber of Commerce, The Madison County Arts Council, The Madison County Sidewalk Cattlemen's Association, and The Oak Ridge Country Club.

Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Craig Stover of Madisonville; son Steven Stover and his wife Liz of Madisonville; grandchildren, Tyler Stover, Tori Moran, Lexi Moran, and Luke Stover, all of Madisonville. She is also survived by her uncle Billy Bishop of Dallas, her aunt Dora Halliwell of Bryan and their children, Pam Cemino and Perian K. Bishop of Bryan and Pat Cates of Plano; special friends Nan Wells of Madisonville and Rita Butler Hayes of Nacogdoches; and numerous other family members and friends.

A quote she lived by, "When we come to the end of life, the question will be, 'How much have you given?' not 'How much have you gotten?'"

Memorial contributions may be made to Madison County Child Protective Services, P.O. Box 1592, Madisonville, TX 77864. Attention: Donna Cuevas.