Maria Velia Shiflett

She was preceded in death by parents Anastacio and Faustina Barrera, four siblings, Faraon Barrera, Enedina Guerra, Elide Cendon, Yolanda Rispoli, and her husband of 42 years, Wendell Newton Shiflett, the love of her life.

Family, faith, kindheartedness, a grateful spirit and graciously serving friends and community were some of her special trademarks. Her greatest love is her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

She excelled as teacher, administrator and curriculum designer in Texas for over 39 years. She taught in Premont ISD, English and Spanish in Dallas ISD at Hillcrest High School, served in administration in DISD and was Principal at Stonewall Jackson where she learned sign language to serve deaf children and their families.

She was also an accomplished painter, a pianist, a classical music aficionado and an avid traveler. Her special delight however was always in her family. Her husband, children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren brought her some of her greatest moments of joy.

She left a beautiful legacy of love and faith.

Her legacy lives on. She is survived by her daughters Linda Brackenridge, Cynthia Cone and her husband Rush, and her stepson Wendell Shiflett; and grandchildren Jason Cone and his wife Tiffany, Brandon Cone, Shannon Beyer and her husband Terry, Stephanie Capt and her husband Byron, and Preston Cone. She was blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Savannah Cone, William Cone, Walker Cone, Wendell Cone, Benjamin Cone, Ace Beyer and Baby Capt. She is also survived by Wendell ("Son") Shiflett's children, Susan Ducote and husband Lynn, Sandy Shiflett and Stacy Sneed and husband John, along with nieces, nephews and multiple cousins. She is very, very missed!

Viewing was held Wednesday, December 16, at Sparkman Hillcrest in Dallas.

Rosary and funeral mass was held, Thursday, December 17, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, in Dallas.

Velia preferred, rather than too many flowers, that donations might be made to:

Mercy International (The full-time ministry that her granddaughter Stephanie serves in Haiti for orphans and needy)

Mercy International

PO Box 690436

San Antonio, Texas 78269

Donations may be given online at www.MercyIntl.org/donate

Further information can be obtained through Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.

SPECIAL NOTE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

Lest we focus too much on our Mom's goodness - she would want us to give all thanks for all of it to God and to others.

Her faith was deeply rooted in Jesus Christ and in His Word.

One of her favorite truths is found in the book of John in the story of Nicodemus with Jesus.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God...whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

To God be the Glory for He is Good.

He is always up to Good.

Even in the midst of pain & sorrow.