Shirley Ann Skelton

SHIRLEY ANN SKELTON, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 22nd, after a courageous journey with Dementia. Her family cherishes her faithful love for all, which was rooted in Jesus’ faithful love for her. Shirley was born in Houston, Texas, on July 28, 1940. She was the daughter of Emil Leopold Bollom and her mother, Leonila Maria Havran. Shirley grew up in the Catholic faith with her younger brother Leroy Bollom. Shirley’s first Communion was in 1949. During her high school years, Shirley was very active in school: tennis team, student council; and in addition homemaking. Shirley graduated from Jefferson Davis High School on May 25, 1958.

In December 1959, Shirley had her one and only child, Gene Ray Thornton, Jr. At the time, Shirley was working for Southwestern Bell and stayed with the company for sixteen years. She worked sixteen years for the company. She left her job in 1974 to pursue her dream as an entrepreneur. Shirley, and her then husband, Jim Longnecker started their own Shaklee Distributorship. Within two and one half years, they reached the highest rank in Shaklee, as Master Coordinator, which put them in the top 1% of the company. Shirley’s accomplishments were many:

• President's Club award winner for business growth and leadership every year

• Winners of the prestigious Altus Bird award (one that flies the highest among all birds)

• All-expense paid International Bonus Trips including: Acapulco, Hawaii, Monte Carlo, Paris, Hong Kong, Japan, London, Kauai, Spain, Puerto Rico, Australia, and many other unique locations around the world.

• Earned a new Shaklee Bonus Car every two years over her 42-year career in Shaklee.

• Personally met with Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee and his wife Dorothy in 1975.

• Developed a business organization of over 500 members and distributors, and most enduring, trained and developed over 80 new leadership companies in the States and abroad. Perhaps Shirley’s greatest gift was, she had an enduring affinity for emphasizing and caring for others, no matter what the circumstances. Her love for life and her will to carry on, is a glowing tribute of the perseverance, patience and persistence of Shirley’s lasting monument. She will be loved by many, and missed by thousands. She is preceded in death by, James Henry Longnecker, Sr., James “Scooter” Henry Longnecker, Jr. and B. Don Skelton. Shirley is survived by her son, Gene Ray Thornton, Jr. and wife Josephine; grandsons, Garrett Reece Thornton and Grant Rowan Thornton; brother, Leroy Bollom and wife Mary; stepdaughters, Linie Sherrod, Betty Jacobs, Maria Longnecker, Becky Johnson and Debbie Schillings; stepsons, Richard Longnecker and Billy Don Skelton.