Nadell Shellenberger

Memorial services for NaDell "Sadie" Shellenberger, 81, of Gainesville will be held Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. At George Carroll & Sons Funeral Home with the Reverend Billy Vier of Pottsboro officiating.

Mrs. Shellenberger died October 22, 2011. She was born on September 16, 1930 in Sherman, Texas to Weldon and LaVelle Cain. She was married to C.J. Shellenberger who preceded her in death.

Sadie, as she was known to all her friends, graduated from Sherman High School and Austin College with a degree in art.

Her entire life she persued art interests: from designing western clothes and accessories, jewelry making, oil painting and graphic design for a printing company.

One of her greatest loves was of horses and barrel racing. She was a long time member of the Gainesville Riding Club and head of the rodeo queens contest for the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce rodeo for several years. Sadie hand painted the original registration papers for the American Paint Horse Association which was established in the 1960's. She was a pioneer in the barrel racing world as one of the founders of the Texas Barrel Racing Association in the 1950's. She later served as a director and the president of the TBRA. TBRA went on to host the 1st barrel racing futurities ever held.

She is survived by a sister, Loraine Shea of Covington, LA. Daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and John Paclik of Graham; Son and daughter-in-law, Rhett and Cora Shellenberger of Gainesville; four grandchildren: Ashley Wood, Meghan German, Patrick Shellenberger and Garrett Shellenberger; and one great-granddaughter, Hallie Wood; nieces Vickie Adams and Lorye Wells; one great niece Shea Wells.

Sadie was a lover of animals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Noah's Ark Animal Care in Gainesville.