Rev. Herbert Shelby

Herbert “Bubba” Shelby, son of the late Clarence and Glynn Moore Shelby of Round Top, Texas, was born on February 19, 1942, in Round Top, Fayette County, Texas.  He attended public schools in the Round Top Colored School System in Round Top, Texas.  At the age of 12, he professed his faith and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.  From there, he remained God’s fervent and faithful servant.  Herbert was a member of Round Top Concord Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained as deacon and later assumed the role of Sunday School Teacher.  In August 1980, he accepted his calling into the ministry and shortly thereafter, in October 1980, accepted his first Pastoral position at St. Matthew Baptist Church in Carmine, Texas.  In 1985, he, along with his wife, founded Crusade for Souls Church in Burton, Texas until approximately 2010 when membership was established at City of Refuge Church in Round Top, Texas.

In the early part of 1964, Herbert met Dorothy Mahon.  On May 14, 1966, Herbert entered into the sacred bond of holy matrimony to Dorothy Bell Mahon Shelby.  They were married in the living room of Rev. Austin Hubbard in La Grange, Texas.  They had six children:  four born to this union, one granddaughter they raised as their own and one daughter who preceded this union.    

“What Will Be, Will Be” This was Herbert’s favorite expression, no matter the situation or circumstance.  Herbert was a quiet, gentle man of few words and despite his reserved nature, this expression conveyed his true thoughts and feelings.  During his high school years, Herbert’s accomplishment in tennis as one of the few people of color to advance and win state was remarkable.  His love for traveling took he and his wife to many states where they fellowshipped with and prayed for many people.  Herbert’s devotion to his faith and as a ‘Man of God’, exemplified values of love, forgiveness and service to others. He sang and played guitar.  During the 70’s, he and his wife formed the gospel group, God’s Messengers, which provided a platform to share their faith with others. 

Herbert’s favorite hobbies were hunting and fishing although his passion was hunting.  He hunted deer and raccoons and would often sell the coon skins. He was also a jack of many trades but he moreover encompassed an entrepreneurial mindset.  You could find Herbert on the roads driving trucks hauling gravel or carrying the mail for the post office.  In the 90’s, Herbert, with his son Rick, established S&S Lawn Service and together they landscaped and beautified many yards.  Herbert was also a butcher.  Through this craft he learned to process his own deer sausage.  Also during the 90’s, Herbert and his wife embarked on their culinary journey by establishing H&D’s Soul Food restaurant which later was renamed to S&S Soul Food and BBQ.  In May 2003, their business was awarded Honorable Mention in the Texas Monthly Barbecue Edition Magazine for having “beautifully moist, melt-in-your-mouth brisket; peppery, coarse-ground sausage; and crusty, meaty pork ribs”.  Herbert's story serves as an inspiration for others to embrace their talents, explore new opportunities, and make a positive impact in whatever they pursue.

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at his home in Walhalla, Texas, surrounded by his beloved wife and loving family, Herbert peacefully transitioned from his earthly home to heaven.  God’s Messenger, take your wings!

Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Glynn Moore Shelby; sisters, Ruby Jarmon, Florence Coby, Katherine Columbus and Eula Mae Wong; brother, William Douglas Shelby; grandsons, Baby Boy Shelby and Elijah Shelby.  His departure leaves loving memories to cherish, his devoted wife of 57 years, Dorothy Bell Mahon Shelby; daughter, Sheila Nelms (Jim) of Navasota, Texas; daughter, Sharon Johnson (late Rev. Aaron Johnson) of Brenham, Texas; son, Wayne Shelby (Mary) of Georgia; son, Rick Shelby (Christy) of Round Top, Texas; daughter, Fallon Shelby (DeShawn) of Austin, Texas; daughter, Priscilla Hunt of Houston, Texas; brother, Clarence (Slick) Shelby of Houston, Texas; brothers-in-law, Emery Coby of Houston, Texas and George Green of Industry, Texas; sisters-in-law, Gloria Shelby of Houston, Texas; Key Mahon of Houston, Texas; Alice Williams of Industry, Texas; Gloria Whitfield of San Antonio, Texas; Cheryl Roberson of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Troy Hunt, Walter Jonkins, Aleedra Shelby, Amber Mitchell, Kaesha Roy, Herbert Wayne Shelby, Jr, Chasney Shelby, DeAndre Dugan, Myeva Armstrong, Symone Delgado, Corey Johnson, Ricky Shelby, Jr, Alexis Porter, Madison Nelms, Alecia Porter and Jas Shelby; 15 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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