Obituaries

Ellen Mozelle Thomas Shambaugh passed away in Dallas on May 12, 2023, at the age of 91, surrounded by her family.

Ellen was born in Dallas on August 11, 1931. Her lust for life and sense of adventure began early. She grew up in Longview, before her family moved to Washington, DC, during World War II. After the war, the family moved to Austin. As a child, she enjoyed time on her family’s ranch (next door to the LBJ family ranch) near Johnson City, where she rode her pony Prince.

Ellen graduated from Austin High School in 1947 and subsequently attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1951 with a B.A. in English. During college, she not only developed a lifelong devotion to Longhorn football, but she was also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and began dating the dashing Lieutenant John Scott Shambaugh. After graduation, she worked as an English teacher in Kerrville and seized the chance to take the Queen Mary to Europe for a grand tour with her fellow teacher and friend, Lila. She loved to tell stories of their adventures and how John missed her so much that he proposed immediately upon her return.

Ellen married John on December 27, 1952, in Kerrville. She spoke fondly of their time as newlyweds at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota, where their first daughter, Celia, was born. They moved to Kingsville where their daughters Gayle and Diane were born. In 1959, the family moved to Corpus Christi, where Ellen and John became founding members of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. They were faithful parishioners for many years, and Ellen served as choir director there for almost 30 years. She was also a dedicated member of the Junior League and a volunteer with Girl Scouts of America. John’s work with Exxon later took them to Houston and The Woodlands for almost ten years, where she also directed the church choir and was in charge of music for many Faith Alive programs.

After 55 years of marriage, her beloved John passed away in 2008 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ellen was his devoted caretaker throughout, setting an example for her family of the true meaning of unconditional love. In 2015, Ellen moved to Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, where she quickly became part of the community. Her family in Dallas enjoyed having her be part of their growing families for Sunday night dinners, birthday parties, holidays and regular family gatherings. She joined them for travels overseas to Austria, Czech Republic, Spain and Morocco, as well as to Washington, DC, where she revisited that part of her childhood. Ellen enjoyed taking the local train to visit her sister Becky Balcom and sister-in-law Rita Thomas in Fort Worth. Ellen’s hobbies included camping, hunting, and tennis; she was an avid reader and generously shared clipped articles with family and friends.

Ellen never met a stranger. Everyone who crossed her path, including neighbors, nurses, waiters and the passenger next to her on an airplane, became an instant friend. A gifted conversationalist, she learned their stories and enthusiastically shared hers. Ellen always maintained a genuine interest in the lives of her friends and family. Her curiosity, kindness and zest for life will be dearly missed. Her enduring faith sustained her and was of the utmost importance. She made the world around her a brighter place, and we are at peace knowing that Ellen is without pain, rejoining her beloved John, singing with the angels, and in the company of her Lord and Savior.

Ellen is survived by her three daughters: Celia Shambaugh of Laguna Beach, California, Gayle (Jim) Caldwell of Dallas, and Diane Shambaugh (Gary Bartanen) of Livingston, Texas; four grandchildren: Scott (Tracy) Caldwell, Clayton (Eliana) Snyder, Elaine (Brian) Flores, and Meredith (Austen) Jeter; and ten great-grandchildren: Calvin Caldwell, Conrad and Kenley Ramseyer; Penelope and Kai Snyder; Lincoln, Elijah and Thomas Flores; Zoe and Hudson Jeter. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she also adored. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Mozelle and John Thomas, her brother Jackie (Rita) Thomas, her sister Becky (Barry) Balcom, and her precious great-grandson Cam Snyder.

The family greatly appreciates the love and dedication of Ellen’s caregivers over the past year: Senait Gabertensae, Sagan Haile, Weini Mehari and Besrat Berhane. They were like family to Ellen!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation