LOUIS H. SHELBY
1924-2008

Psalms 100:4, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise: give thanks to him and praise his name." Louis Henry Shelby is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He passed on Thursday afternoon, February 28, 2008.

Louis Henry Shelby was born to Louis and Estella Shelby on February 12, 1924 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. He was the youngest of 11 children and graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, IL in 1942. In March of 1943, he was drafted in the Army and re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1947. He was eventually stationed at VAFB in 1964, where he remained until his retirement where he decided to make Lompoc his home. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. Louis worked for the City of Lompoc for 10 years and was also a realtor at Shelby Realty and Property Management. One of his many qualities was his ability to make friends with everyone he met.

Louis is survived by his loving wife Lera of 46 years, his son Calvin Shelby and his wife Ruth, his two daughters Emma Lee Shelby of Chicago, and Carolyn. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Tatron Williams, Meagan Whitfield and Kristeena Shelby. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Unique, Kauri and Tatron Williams, Jr., as well as his sister Wilma Calhoun. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Anthony Shelby of Chicago, Richard Shelby and his wife Mary of Chicago, Caleb Shelby and his wife Lucille of Cincinnati, and his sister Girtriee Shelby of Chicago.

The viewing will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Lompoc Foursquare Church. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 604 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436.