Carla Mae (Shelton) Womack

Decatur – Carla Mae Shelton Womack went to be with her personal Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in her home, surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, August 21, 2021.

The family will greet friends and loved ones 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

A funeral service will be held at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur on August 26, 2021 at 10 a.m.  Internment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery #1 located on FM 730 South of Decatur.

The service will be conducted by her pastor, Rev. Willard Kiper, and Kerry Clower, a longtime friend and co-worker at the Wise County Heritage Museum and the Wise County Historical Commission.

Pallbearers will be relatives: Monte Smith, George Leija, Michael Musgrave, Layton Williams, Rylan Williams and Lastyn Williams, Jason Foreman, Skipper Church.  Honorary pallbearers will be Richard White, Jack Gainer, Jimmie Walker, Kenneth Walker and Roy Watkins.

Carla was born March 20, 1940 to Carson Perry Shelton and wife, Martha Marion “Mae” Cearley, in Decatur.  She resided in or near Decatur all of her life with the exception of about 10 months when her husband was on active military duty.

She and Ronald W. Womack were united in marriage in the home of Rev. Willard Bewley on December 23, 1959. Immediately following the marriage ceremony, they attended a Christmas Program at New Salem Freewill Baptist Church of Decatur.

As a graduate of Decatur High School, she watched as her husband (married during his senior year of high school), three daughters and three granddaughters would follow in her footsteps in graduating from Decatur High.  Two great granddaughters are now students in the Decatur Independent School District.  Her family and the stability thereof were important to her.  She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and therefore accompanied them to many functions, sporting events, doctor’s visits etc.

Carla was a devoted Christian who loved her God, church and family.  She endeared herself to everyone and found many ways to be a blessing to others through her Christian spirit and love extended to individuals, especially in their times of grief and sorrow.

As a member of New Salem Freewill Baptist Church, for over 60 years, she served the Lord in various positions, some of which included song leader, and Sunday school teacher. She also worked on the upkeep of the facilities by assisting in mowing, painting and janitorial work.  At the end of her life’s journey, she was serving as the clerk-treasurer of the church.

Her love for people and the ability to help others did not cease with her church activities.  As a young lady, she served as the leader of Girl Scout Troop #24 in Decatur. Later in life, she volunteered at what was then Sunny Hills Nursing Home.  She enjoyed helping the residents and bringing a smile to their faces. She left the volunteer job at the nursing home due to a major sickness within her family.

As a result of her interest in genealogy and the history of her family, she joined the Wise County Historical Society, donating untold hours working with the historical items and helping in genealogy research for other people.  It brought joy to her heart to find information on someone’s relatives that they had not previously known. As a volunteer, she worked diligently and was selected to serve a term as the President of the society.  During her term of office, many major repairs to the building were started and completed.  She was serving as Curator of the Wise County Heritage Museum until her final illness.

Perhaps the most challenging accomplishment was the collecting of information, writing, and distributing monthly newsletters to society members, government officials, historical organizations and others.

After leaving the hospital on what she vowed would be her last visit, she and her husband renewed their wedding vows in their home on July 8, 2021.  Her pastor and great-grandchildren conducted the service with other relatives and guests in attendance.  This was a little over 61. 5 years after the initial service.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one unnamed brother as an infant, three sisters; Mary Catherine Jobe, Minnie Violet Whitworth, and Melba Joyce Lunsford.  Three brothers-in-law and two nieces also preceded her in death along with one great grandson, Taylon James Williams.

Those left behind to cherish her memories are her husband of 61 years, Ronald Womack; three daughters; Charla Gay and husband Monte Smith of Valley View, Pamela Renee’ and husband George Leija of Decatur, Angela Kay and husband Michael Musgrave of Decatur; one sister, Linda Marie Shelton and husband Roy Watkins of Decatur;  granddaughters, Heather Dawn Stephens Williams of Paradise, Amanda Nicole and husband Jason Foreman of Decatur, Ashley Marie and husband Skipper Church of Weatherford, Briana Smith and husband Chris Cuellar of Celina, Melissa Musgrave of Denison, Monica Musgrave and husband Alex Borders of Frisco; five great-grandsons,  Layton Kendall Williams, Rylan Kane Williams, Lastyn Kort Williams, Carson Daniel Church, and Landon Austin Borders; ten great-granddaughters,  Reese Atley Foreman, Rylee Alyse Foreman and another baby Church on the way, Jada Nicole Hernandez, Jaelynn Nevaeh Cuellar, Jaelah Brynn Cuellar, Sydney Kate Smith, Alayna Kai Borders and Kinley Preston Borders; ten nephews; nine nieces, and a multitude of other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the medical personnel that were a part of her care during her illness.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Wise County Heritage Museum or other organizations of your choice.