Gertrude Handy Shelley

Gertrude Marie Handy-Shelley was born on October 2, 1921 to Sydney (b.1896) and Melissa (Scott) Handy (b.1902). She is the great granddaughter of Sostan Scott (b.1848), and great-great niece of renowned blues musician, W. C. Handy. She is also the great-granddaughter of Benjamin Hanchett (b.1835) & Alice Brackins. She is the granddaughter to Lemuel Bud Scott Sr. (b.1874) and Kate Hanchett Scott (b.1878).

She was born and raised in Ellis, Louisiana on the farmland of her maternal Grandfather Lemuel Scott Sr. She spent her childhood in Crowley, Louisiana where she attended Crowley Public Schools and schools on her family’s land. Notably, the school of the present-day, Ennis Elementary and Ennis High Schools, sits on land purchased from her great-father, Sostan Scott. She was raised in the Church of God in Christ where her parents were instrumental in the church.

Gertrude met James Shelley, Jr. while they were both visiting relatives in Houston, TX. They were married in 1948 on family land by Leroy Winbush (father of the late Bishop Roy Winbush).

Soon after moving to Houston, TX in 1948, Gertrude and James joined the tent services of the late Bishop Robert Jasper Darrett in the formation of Lorraine St. Temple Church of God in Christ. In 1951, she and Deacon Shelley were instrumental in the building of the structure that stands present day at 2312 Lorraine St.

As a devoted wife and mother, Gertrude committed to James Shelley for 49 years until his death in 2001. She was also a diligent and willing worker in service to Lorraine Street Temple Church of God in Christ for 73 years.

On August 18, 2022, Gertrude was welcomed into the Lord’s House at the blessed age of 100. She was greeted at the gates by her husband, James Shelley, Jr.; her parents, Sydney and Melissa Handy; grandson, Jason Shelley; and siblings, Lemuel James Handy (Vada), Joseph Handy (Addie), Lawrence Handy (Betty), Louis Handy (Sarah), Sydney Handy (Delores), and Pearlie Sinclair Wilridge (James).

She leaves to celebrate her legacy her daughter, Kathy Shelley Bates and son, Jimmy Shelley (Margaret) both of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren: James Shelley Jr. (Shanel), Keithrick Murray (Sharday), Jamelia Jackson (Eugene), and Cedrick Bates Sr. (Marcia), all of Houston, Texas; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Isaac Handy (Rose) of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends to cherish her memory.