Shirley Weldon Sumpter passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on January 2, 2017.  Loved and appreciated for her quiet elegance, loving spirit, gracious and good hearted nature. She enjoyed a beautiful holiday season with friends and family before she made her gentle transition from this life to live eternally with the Lord.  She is preceded in death by her father, Willie Weldon Sr., her mother Lucille Moore-Weldon, her brother Willie Weldon Jr. and her sister Rosie Weldon – White.  She leaves to cherish her memories two brothers; Charlie Weldon (San Francisco, TX) and Fred Weldon (Port Arthur, TX); one sister, Geraldine Joseph (Port Arthur, TX);  two sons, Alray “Ray” Sumpter Jr. (Taylor, TX), Roderick W. Sumpter and his wife Monica (South Carolina); one granddaughter, Tierra Sumpter (Arkansas) and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. During her lifetime she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend.

Shirley spent the early years of her life in Port Arthur, TX where she worked in her father’s restaurant, serving locals and celebrities such as BB King and Sammy Davis Jr., to name a few.

She attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962 and attended Lamar State College both located in Port Arthur, TX.

Shirley was married and had the opportunity to relocate to Africa, where she lived for over 19 years.  She returned back to the United States in the early to mid 1980’s and soon obtained employment at the formerly named Texas Rehabilitation Commission – Disability Determination Services (DDS), located in Austin, TX.  During her 25 years at DDS, she moved quickly up the ladder receiving many accolades and promotions along the way until her retirement in 2012.

Shirley was a long-time member of Zion Rest Baptist Church, located in Austin, TX, where she served as usher and a greeter for many years.  A “Life Celebration Service” will be held at Gabriel Funeral Home located at 2500 Proctor St., Port Arthur, TX on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 11 am, viewing will be held between the hours of 9 am – 11am.