Shelby Jean Mcneely Mcmillan Jeffords

Shelby Jean

McNeely McMillan Jeffords

Shelby Jean passed away at 82 years old on 11 June 2020 in Biloxi, MS.

She was born 3 Feb 1938 in Royalty, Texas, not far from the oil camp in Grand Falls where her family lived.  She grew up mainly in Monahans, Texas.

Her late parents are Bryson Preston McNeely and Creola (Bivins) McNeely of Monahans, Texas.  Her sister is Gail (McNeely) Wolfe of Monahans, Texas, currently living in Odessa, Texas.  Her late brother is Tommy Lawrence ‘Mac’ McNeely of Monahans, Texas.

Jean’s first husband was Dean McMillan.  They married 21 April 1958 in Monahans, Texas.  They made their home in Midland, Texas.  When they married, Jean worked for the DPS, transferring from Pecos, and Dean was a city policeman in Midland.

From their marriage they had two children, Debbie and Gary.  Debbie and her husband, Dr. Mark Belknap of Biloxi, MS have three children: Amy (Texas), Michael (Kentucky), and Lisa (Texas), as well as 3 grandchildren: Eden, Nate, and Arabella.  They have a Daughter-in-law, Liz (Genther) Belknap and Son-in-Law, Mike Cook.  Gary McMillan of Kenny Lake, Alaska has three children: Gary Jr. (Texas), Rita (Texas) and his late son Adam (Alaska).  Gary has a granddaughter, Abbigail.  His Daughter-in-law is Taryn.

Dean and Jean divorced the 27 Sept 1971 in Midland, Texas.

Jean married her second husband, Walter Jeffords, 14 Dec 1971 in Lovington, New Mexico.  They made their home in Midland, Texas.  They have a son, Chris Jeffords of Virginia.  Chris and his wife, Nikki have two daughters: Abby and Allie.  Jean and Walter separated in April 2014.

Jean was a majorette at Monahans High School.  She had a variety of skills that included high speed typing, stenography, crafts and sewing in her young adult years.

About 1970, she had an entire bale of cotton delivered to her dining room, so she would have plenty of cotton for the stuffed animals she was sewing to sell to a local furniture store.

In her mid to late 30’s, she began a popular cake and catering business from her home that continued for many years.  Her cakes, meals, fruit and cheese displays graced special event tables across Texas.  One wedding cake was featured in a bridal magazine.  Jean was awarded the 2003 Businesswoman of the Year by The National Republican Congressional Committee’s Business Advisory Council.

Jean enjoyed spending time with her dog, Winnie, as well as Mark and Debbie’s dog, Cody.  She often watched the squirrels play outside.

She enjoyed watching her TV, visiting with the other residents at her assisted living apartment and talking and spending time with Debbie.  Her favorite meals to eat were Mexican and Chinese, with a Coke.  She did not have a favorite color, but liked them all, preferably bright.  She liked all flowers.  She learned to appreciate the beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Gulf’s water, birds, and the variety of trees.

Burial will be at Pyron Cemetery, Pyron, Texas following a service at 2 PM Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Bell-Cypert-Seal Funeral Home in Snyder, Texas.

We thank Lisa Belknap for helping her mom, Debbie put together the beautiful photo video with music background showing The Story of Shelby Jean.

We thank Elizabeth (Campbell) Doss of Gulfport, MS, who played the Scottish bagpipes for the video montage.  We appreciate the Campbell family for all the times they helped with Jean, especially when Debbie was out of town, even late at night.

We give a special thank you to Jean’s son-in-law, Dr. Mark Belknap who spent the majority of 40 plus years helping Jean in so many ways whenever he was asked.  Mark also hand built Jean’s casket.

Pallbearers will be Gary McMillan, Dr. Mark Belknap, Michael Belknap, Gary Jr. McMillan, Mike Cook, and Chris Jeffords.