Willie D. Shelly

Willie Dean Shelly was born on December 31, 1939, in Colt, Arkansas, to Rev. Andrew and Mary Lou Cothran. She was one of eight children. Both parents preceded her death.

Willie was born into a Christian family in which her parents instilled in their children the importance of being a Christian. She accepted Christ at a young age in Colt, Arkansas. She later moved to Kansas City, MO.

Willie was employed by St. Luke Hospital, where she worked for 40-plus years and retired as a nurse’s assistant. Willie was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop W.H. White for 30 years. Throughout her Christian experience, she moved to Greater Mount Zion under the leadership of Pastor Albert Colbert and continued to serve faithfully, even with the change in leadership. She was a faithful choir member and, on the motherboard, as well. She was well-known for her baked goods, especially her pound cakes, as well as for her sweet, kind spirit and her loving smile, which could brighten up any room. She was a dedicated member of the church all the way up until the end.

Willie leaves to cherish her memories of 2 sons, Barry Shelly (Lisa), Donald Shelly (Leanna), 4 grandchildren, Sade Carson, Lakeisha Johnson, Brian Shelly, and Chris Shelly, 2 great grandchildren, Tajia Carson and SaRaiq Yarbrough, 1 great-great grandchild, Yaceir Sanders Carson, all of Kansas City, MO. She leaves behind 1 sister, Dorothy J Cothran, and 1 brother Virgil Lee Cothran, 5 siblings preceded her in death: Flora M. Shurn, Lardelath Anderson, Ulysses Cothran, Lionell Cothran, and Walter Cothran. She leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of family and friends.