Shelba C. Hatley

Shelba Jean Creed Hatley, 85 years old, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 1, 2023, after a spirited battle with pancreatic cancer, where she passed in her home surrounded by the family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Larry Hatley, and is survived by her three children: Mark Hatley and wife Pam, Allison Hatley Harris, and Mia Hatley, as well as her four grandchildren: Ben Hatley-Cotter and wife Allison, Luke Harris, Chris Hatley and Sidney Harris, along with her sister, Michelle (Mitzi) Carpenter.

Shelba “Jeanie” was born in Greensboro, NC on January 22, 1938 to Claude and Margaret Creed. Due to her father often being away, Shelba went on to develop her values and faith primarily being raised by the three strong women in her life: her mother, Margaret; her aunt, Lucille Shelton; and her grandma, Maude Shelton. And even though much of her early life was spent as an only child, she still cultivated a loving relationship with her sister, Mitzi, who is fifteen years younger.

Just before graduating high school, class of ‘57, she met the love of her life, Larry, while he was already a freshman in college, at NC State. She continued her education at the Women’s College, now known as UNCG, for a single year, studying nutrition, but left to pursue her life with Larry, who she married in 1957 at Magnolia Street Baptist Church. She then went on to pursue work as a bank teller to help support their family while Larry finished school. Two years after they were wed, their first child, Mark, was born. Another two years after that, came Allison, and three years later, Mia. Although Shelba assumed the traditional role of a stay-at-home mother and wife while Larry worked, she was always considered the backbone of the family.

Even though everyone who knew them defined them as the “dynamic duo”, Shelba and Larry’s personalities were quite different. He was known as the outgoing, talkative, and successful salesman, while she was more comfortable behind the scenes. However, she always provided the quiet strength, determination, selflessness and support that allowed Larry, and the family, to thrive. Shelba was the ultimate “servant leader”, both in her homelife and outside in her personal life. She embodied intelligence and a strong work ethic to achieve any goal she set her mind to. However, she always chose to put her faith and family before herself.

While raising this strong family, she and Larry were instrumental in founding two separate churches. The first being Southeast Baptist Chapel (currently Southeast Baptist Church) established in 1974, which she attended until her passing. The other, Lake Norman Baptist Church, was established in the early 1980s, when Larry and Shelba lived for a brief time in Davidson, NC. She had been active in both churches, but once they returned to Southeast, she continued serving on numerous committees such as offering teller, stewardship, worship ministries and missions ministries, as well as being a lead director for the flower committee. She stayed strong in her faith all her life, and always had a willingness to serve wherever needed.

Shelba’s other interests were many and varied. One being her love of cooking for Larry and her kids, and for the grandkids, who knew her as “Chef Shel.” She even loved landscaping and gardening, spending much of her leisure time in her yard. She also stayed active through tennis and snow skiing, even into her later years. Once the children were older with their own kids, Shelba and Larry continued to enjoy traveling with many of their close friends. The numerous trips they took with friends and family, both for enjoyment and for missions trips with the church, domestically and throughout Europe, provided some of their fondest memories.

Another great joy in Shelba’s life was her grandchildren. They all grew up in North Carolina and were never more than a few hours away. She and Larry would frequently visit to watch ball games, swim meets, dance recitals (for Sidney, the only granddaughter), school activities or just to spend time with the family. She and Larry provided for vacations every year so the entire family could all be together. When they got together she would often cook for the whole crew and play with the kids. She would always have puzzles, cards, and board games ready to entertain the kids and the adults (more often than not, winning the games herself!)

Shelba would be the first to tell you that she had a wonderful life, whether it be in finding her soulmate at nineteen, sharing their life together while raising a beautiful family, going on many adventures with many dear friends, serving her church and their community, or retaining her faith in the Lord. It’s easy to see that Shelba Jean Hatley loved her family, her friends and her church. And we all loved her just as dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Southeast Baptist Church on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2 pm with a viewing prior to the service from 1:15 to 1:45 pm. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on Friday evening, October 6, 2023 also at Southeast Baptist Church, 5011 Liberty Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406.

Service will be streamed today through Southeast Baptist Church of Greensboro's YouTube channel, accessible through the churches website: www.gosoutheast.org

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southeast Baptist Church, www.gosoutheast.org, or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org.