Beth Ransom Shelley

Beth (Kirby) Ransom Shelley, 80, of Tyhee, died Thursday morning March 12, 2009. Beth and her twin brother, Blaine, were born to Peter and Reva Kirby on November 9, 1928. She grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, along with Blaine and her other siblings, Peggy, Donald, and Janice.

After graduation from Aberdeen High School, Beth attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, and during that time she met a handsome soldier, Wendell Bybee Ransom. They married on September 3, 1947, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. They had seven children. Wendell died in 1993, and in 1998 Beth married Ralph Shelley. He passed away in 2004.

Beth was active in several organizations, including Literary Guild, La Espra, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and especially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beth loved the close relationships that she gained through the sisterhood of the Relief Society and was always ready to serve. She served as both a Ward and Stake Relief Society President. She served a family history mission for the Church in 1995.

She enjoyed literature, decorating, and serving others. Family and friends will remember the poems and skits she often wrote for special events. Everyone that knew and loved Beth will miss her white cupcakes.

She is survived by her children; Dennis (Stephanie), Kevin (Vickie), Michael (Laurie), Joel (Patricia), Jill (Merrill Moon), Lori (Valiant Jones), and Corey (Nancy); 33 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and Ralph's children Pam (Terry Glenn), Kathy (Gary Allen), and Kent (Dixie) Shelley and 16 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, and her brother Donald.