Gary Shelby was born November 22, 1969, at home by midwife in Jasper, Texas. He was raised in East Jasper community by his late father, Leonard Shelby, Sr., and mother, Eddie Joyce Shelby Hadnot, until he graduated from Jasper High School in 1988.
He attended Peaceful Rest Baptist Church. Gary later met fiancé, Erica Jones, and they moved to Houston for a good twenty plus years.
Mr. Shelby was employed by Golden Corral in Houston until his health kept him from doing so. As a young man, he was a hard worker. He would go around the neighborhoods, moving and racking yards. He was also a good artist. He painted the signs of local businesses in Brookland, Texas.
Gary departed this life on April 27, 2024. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hobie and Jessie Smith and Fannie B. Shelby, T. L. Rawls, Genie, and Maxine Wysinger; late sister, Dewanna Lou Smith; and a host of uncles and aunts.
He leaves to cherish his memory: mother and step-dad, Eddie Joyce and Hubert Hadnot, both of Jasper, TX; daughter, Keondra Jones (JayJay) of Houston, TX; son, Keenan Shelby of OH; granddaughter, Sunshine Jones; brothers, Oscar Smith (Tamara), Leonard Shelby, Jr. (Keitha), Jewell G. Shelby (Lesa), Keith D. Shelby, Eddie R.
Shelby, and Gene Shelby (Jamie); sisters, Lawana S. Cooper (James), Barbara J. Shelby (Lister), Ester
Adams (Julius), and LaQuinta S. Hadnot; aunts, Billie Mahathay and Rowena Good; uncle, Willie E. Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.