Elizabeth Ann Gerbetz Shields

Elizabeth Gerbetz Shields was born January 30, 1923, in San Marcos, Texas to Dr. Jesse Guy and Jewel Smith. She passed away after a short illness on Monday, July 30, 2012. She was the youngest of three children and grew up in Commerce, Texas. From a family of educators, she earned her bachelor degree in English and Business Administration and masters degrees in English and Library Science from then East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce. She began her 35 year teaching career in West Delta and Overton. In 1953 she and her family moved to Dallas where she was librarian at Arcadia Park Elementary School. She was the first librarian at T. L. Marsalis, and then opened the library at Browne Middle School and Carter High School. In 1970, she continued her career opening the library at Mountain View Community College; then was moved to open the library at Northlake Community College as librarian in charge of public service and collection development.

She retired in 1986. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and DCCCD Retirees Association, serving as president in 1993. Elizabeth Shields loved to travel and made trips to Tibet, China, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Russia, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. She loved fishing and often traveled to Mexico to Sugar Lake. Elizabeth also loved to dance; she was a member of the Longhorn Square Dancers, the Arlington Promenaders and the Diamond Jubileers. She and long-time friend and business partner, Ralph Savage, taught round dancing professionally for several clubs including their own club, the Thursday Bunch. In November 1996, she married Santos V. Shields. Together they traveled extensively and enjoyed camping, cruising, fishing, and game nights with friends. She was a vibrant spirit who loved life and taught those around her, whether students, friends, or family, to do the same.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Guy and Jewel Smith; sister, Dr. Nancy Boze, brother Jesse Guy Smith, Jr.; great grandson, Ike Buja. She is survived by her husband, Sandy Shields; daughter, Elizabeth Knight and husband Ron; granddaughter, Lori Kennedy and husband Eric; granddaughter, Angela Buja and husband Evan; great grandchildren, James and Elizabeth (Ellie) Kennedy and Henry Buja; brother-in-law and long time friend, Dr. Floyd Boze; niece Ann Beatty and husband Ashley and great niece Savannah. She is also survived by Sandra and Peter Bentz, daughters Megan, Holly, and Melissa; Bruce and Judy Shields and Taylor, Austin, and Kelly; and Nancy and James Schafer and sons Preston and Eric.

Family will accept visitors Wednesday, August 1 from 6-8 pm at Moore Funeral Home Chapel-Davis and services will be held Thursday, August 2 starting at 12:30 pm. Memorials may be made to the Texas A&M-Commerce Foundation, PO Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429-3425 to the Jewel and Jesse Guy Smith Memorial History Endowment Fund.