Leola Shellman

Ms. Leola “Lee” Shellman, a retired Educator of Tampa passed away Friday, April 3, 2020.  Due to the current restrictions from the CDC, the funeral service will be closed to the public.  A Private Funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, April 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue with Pastor Otis Cooper, officiating. Entombment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery. 

Leola “Lee” Shellman, affectionately known as Lee, was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa, FL.  She was born to the late Arthur B. Soarrey and Delodis T. Williams.  Leola attended the local schools of Hillsborough County and was a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1960.

Leola had an aspiration for educating children and began her trek to teach by attending Gibbs Junior College, St. Pete, FL and migrated to Bethune-Cookman College (University), Daytona Beach, FL, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  She journeyed to Hampton Institute, Virginia where she attained a Master of Arts Degree.

She taught in the school systems of Virginia, Pasco County, and at various schools in Hillsborough County, including, Clair Mel, MacDonald, Phillip Shore and Franklin where her specialty was teaching Math and Science. Along with teaching she served on the Executive Board of the CTA, the Elementary & Exceptional Education Screening Committee, and was an active participant in the Mentor/Protégé Program and the State FTP-NEA Legislative Committee. Lee retired from Hillsborough County Schools after serving over 40 years. Her passion for educating children made a difference in the lives of many students.  

Lee was a member of Beulah Baptist Church, Tampa. 

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Arthur B. Soarrey and Delodis T. Soarrey, and sisters, Shirley A. Grimsley and Vicky S. Powell. 

Lee leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter, Alicia Shellman; son, Arthur Shellman, Jr. of Tampa; grandchildren, Donte “Obie” Allen, Jerel Cotney, and Jakobe Cotney;  great-grandson, Kyrie Davis; sisters, Essie M. Coleman and Catherine Soarrey; nephews, Calvin E. Coleman, Jr. (Denise), Gregory K. Soarrey (Sheila), Sam H. Grimsley (NE, MD), Gray Bennefield, and Thomas Walker (Vivian); nieces, Rev. S. Maria Bell-Coleman (Denver, CO), Master Sergeant Tracey Y. Marshall (NE, MD) Michelle Y. Coleman, and Annissia Gaines; great-nephews, Antonio R. Bennefield, Antwuan D. Bennefield, Gregory K. Soarrey, Jr., Marvin “Alfonso” Bell II, and Markeem A. Bell; great-nieces, Nicolya Coleman, Tynesia Coleman-Henry (Dwight), Arielle L. Daniel (Rakeli), Marialle A. Ogunlade (John), Riverside, CA, Kiara Stevenson (Aaron), Pensacola, FL, Sierra Wallace, and Mariyah A. Bell; aunts, Evelyn Daniels, Margaret Kelly, and Annie Walker; devoted friends, Mary Ann Gadson, Martha Neal, Jackie Davis and Hayward Wright; a host of relatives from the Lemons, Kelly and Walker Families.  

The visitation will be held Monday, April 13 from 3 – 7 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue.  We are asking family and friends to pay their respects and to follow the CDC guidelines.

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