Shelba Jean Spears, 77, of Port Arthur passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Shelba was born on August 27, 1939 in Titus County, Texas to parents Oma (Anderson) and Haney Davis. She had lived in the Port Arthur area since 1961 and was a member of Central Baptist Church for 56 years, where she taught Children Sunday School Classes. Shelba received a Master Degree in Education; teaching at Travis Elementary, St. Joseph Catholic School and Terrell Elementary, receiving the Teacher of the Year Award in 1996 and she retired in 1997.

Shelba was very active in her community, member of Port Arthur Neighborhood Action Council, former President of Griffing Park Neighborhood Watch and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority for 50 years. She also volunteered at the Gulf Coast Museum and the American Cancer Society. Shelba received Service to Mankind Award in 2011 from Gulf Coast Sertoma Club.  She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John G. Spears, Jr.; her sister, Margaret Chitwood.

Shelba is survived by her children, Steven Spears and wife, Jessica of Hurst, TX, Jim Spears of Clear Lake, Sissie Veal and husband, Jimmy of Groves, Jack Spears of Baytown; brothers, Lowell Davis and wife, Jane of Fort Worth, Jack Davis of Fort Worth. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Craig Veal and wife, Lynn, Jeremiah Spears, Josiah Spears, Elijah Spears, Hadassah Spears and nine nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 2:30 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, with a gathering of family and friends from 12:30 PM until service time. Dr. Phil Sigman, pastor of Central Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.