NOCONA – Shelley Claire Sunderland McNew, 69, passed away on March 5, 2020.
A visitation was from 2-3 p.m. on March 8 at the First United Methodist Church in Nocona.
A celebration of her life was at 11 a.m. on March 9 at the First United Methodist Church in Nocona.
Shelley was born on Dec. 6, 1950 in Nocona to H.W. and Dude (Biter) Sunderland. She graduated Nocona High School in 1969 and later graduated from Midwestern State University in 2003. She married David McNew on Feb. 24, 1979 and they raised three children together in Nocona.
After working as the church secretary and serving the youth, Shelley decided to follow her calling into ministry. She attended Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology and received her course of study. Shelley served the churches of Byers UMC, Holiday/Dundee UMC and until presently Oak Grove UMC in Decatur. She was loved and adored by her church families and her many fellow pastors. Shelley’s goal was to build meaningful and lasting relationships with everyone she met, and lead them to know and love Christ.
Shelley and David enjoyed camping trips to Colorado, traveling and being with their many friends. She loved spending time with her grandkids and encouraging them to be the person who God made them. Whenever someone spent time with Shelley, they left encouraged, loved and uplifted. Shelley loved the Lord with all her heart and never gave up faith through her health battles. She loved her family with unconditional love and grace always.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Shelley is survived by her lifelong best friend and loving husband, David McNew; sons, Kirkland Kilcrease and his wife Damarys, McKinney, and Blake McNew, Gainesville; her daughter, Kara Kilcrease Meredith and her husband Doug, Keller; one granddaughter, Ryan Claire; three grandsons, Wyatt, Caleb and Brock, who were the absolute delight of her life; and her sister in law, Elaine McNair and her husband Tim.
Donations may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur and Nocona First UMC.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.