Shelby Jean Mooney

Shelby Jean Mooney, 85, passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of her husband Patrick Mooney on November 7, 2023 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in McNairy County, Tennessee on January 6, 1938 to William Franklin and Johnnie Elizabeth Rouse. She met her love of a lifetime at the fair in Jackson, Tennessee on September 18, 1953. Patrick often said of this meeting that he met a spoiled brat that night and we may call her mom or grandma, but he has called her Sweetheart. They made their home in Air Force Bases across the country including Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Guam, South Dakota, Ohio, Louisiana, and Florida following her husband’s military career to her final residence in Bossier City, Louisiana. She retired as a retail manager in fine jewelry at J. C. Penney. After retirement she and Pat escaped Bossier City for a decade and a half to the hills of Enville, Tennessee. This put her closer to where they both grew up and could connect with distant family and friends again in a dream home built by the two of them (as well as many nice citizens of that area) until all the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren called them back home to Bossier City.

She loved tending to her babies that just happened to be dogs, gardening, crocheting, sewing, and quilting. She made baby blankets and quilts for all her grandbabies. She had an amazing green thumb and could get a pineapple tree to grow on her porch in Tennessee and make a twig blossom into a bush. She loved taking pictures and one could build a house off the many images she took during the process of building a house. Any visit to this technology free home brought much laughter around time spent playing dominoes, croquet, catching lightning bugs, and eating vanilla ice cream at night with the dogs. She did not know a stranger. If she were in a line or in a crowded area she almost always walked away finding a connection. She was the happiest with a lap full of dogs. She loved her family. There isn’t anything she would not do for them. Her legacy is her family. And she loved to gather with each and every one. And as soon as any gathering started, she was quick to ask when we would gather again. Her love for her family only came second for her love for her Lord. She was a faithful active member of the Catholic Church. In Selmer, TN, they attended St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church where they grew under Father Jude Hood. It was a mission church. Their final church they moved to was St. Mary’s in Savannah, TN. Once back in Bossier City they were called by their friends roaming Catholics while they attended eight services a week. Pat and Shelby were faithful to our Lord with daily Bible readings and a strong prayer life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Franklin and Johnnie Elizabeth Pitts Rouse, brother, Stoy, son-in-law, Robert Haley, granddaughter, Michelle Roe, great grandsons, Colton Bordelon and Reed Sistrunk, great granddaughter, Caitlin Fletcher.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years Patrick Jerome Mooney, her 8 children, Steve Mooney (Maureen), Carrie Haley, Keyna Mooney, Patti Farrier (Greg), Bill Mooney (Debbie), Beth Troutman (Keith), John Mooney (Jill), Jim Mooney (Heidi).

Grandchildren: Courtney Gregory, Stephanie Mooney, Patrick Haley (Gina), Robbie Haley (Jennifer), Mikey Haley (Sara), Joey Haley (Laura), Stevie Fletcher (Gretchie), Shean Fletcher (Sharon), Brian Fletcher, Blane Fletcher, Nikole Deleon (Mitchell), Ainsleigh Farrier, Becky Griffin (Cole), Jessica Sistrunk (Aaron), Laura Allison (Lance), Will Mooney, Tiffany McIntire (Grant), Cole Troutman, Kevin Troutman (Melissa), Caleigh Troutman, Dylan Mooney (Alora), Lucas Mooney, Donaven Mooney, Savannah Foster, Isabella Mooney.

Great-grandchildren: Katelynn Gregory, McKynzee McLeod, Teralee Haley, Emma Haley, Leah Haley, Paige Haley, Pierce Haley, Mason Haley, Harper Youngblood, Magnolia Haley, Poppy Jo Haley, Wyatt Haley, Eliza Haley, Chance Fletcher, Caden Fletcher, Kendal Fletcher, Tyler Roe, Brittany Roe, Alaney Roe, Austin Roe, Alexis Fletcher, Lauren Mann, Kynadie Fletcher, Haleigh Fletcher, Gavin Griffin, Camron Griffin, Jaidynn Griffin, Addisyn Griffin, Jude Griffin, Landon Sistrunk, Chloe Allison, Bailey McIntire, Emma McIntire, Nash Mooney.

Great-great-grandchildren: Joseph Roe, Fletcher Mangham.

Bonus Grandchildren: Layliana Mann, Jayden Mann, Sary Ducas, Samantha Ducas, Vanessa Chandler, Ezra Danford, Briar Danford, Amara Danford, Ember Danford, Holland Murphy.

Friends and family of Mrs. Mooney are invited to Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton on Monday, November 13, 2023 for the viewing from 5:00-7:00 pm followed by the rosary from 7:00-8:00 pm. The service for Mrs. Mooney will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 with a mass offered by Rev. Jerry Daigle, Jr.

Pat and Shelby often donate to Mary’s House because they have a heart for those young mothers. This is one way to honor Shelby’s memory by donating clothing or a financial contribution to Mary’s House.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Amedisys Hospice and Colonial Oaks for the care they gave Mrs. Mooney. For such a difficult time, they made the transition for the family by the caring grace given to their much beloved “sweetheart, wife, mom, grandma” as she lived her final days. The doors were always opened for the many loved ones and friends who needed to get one more hug. Trusting professionals and their expert care gave us that chance to gather. One particular hospice nurse stepped in and out of her role as granddaughter to tend and mend, Courtney, we love and admire the strong caretaker you’ve become. Our family is forever grateful for your care. Over mom. And each of us. The immediate family was blessed by the Colonial Oaks staff’s care and hospitality as they allowed our dad to stay by her side without question as we watched their love of a lifetime. The sweetest was their eye contact through it all. Deep down they saw each other and our dad could look into our mom’s eyes and she could look back with her searching eyes; and we saw the understanding for whatever she was confused about. This brought a calmness to the family seeing the love they had for each other in all the Alzheimer's controlled chaos.