Margie Lee (Gilliland) Shelton

Mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Margie Lee Gilliland Shelton, age 76, passed away Sunday, July 5.  Margie was born in Irving, Texas on November 23, 1943, to Troy and Mary Arnold Gilliland.  Margie was a graduate of Irving High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from The University of Texas at Arlington.  A resident of Coppell since the early 1980s, Margie enjoyed a great career with the City of Highland Park before retiring with over 35 years of service.  Margie was an active member of First Church of the Nazarene in Irving, where she served on the board and the Missions Committee. She also had a real heart for children and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, even providing transportation for those children who didn’t have any. 

Margie loved taking trips, visiting lakes, parks and getting back to nature - especially when the bluebonnets were blooming. She often said she felt closest to God when enjoying the natural beauty of Texas (and beyond). Margie was a voracious reader. You would often find her with her Nook in hand, enjoying a Nora Roberts novel, a cup of hot tea nearby and classic rock playing in the background. She loved getting out with friends and family, seeing the latest movies, discovering new restaurants and revisiting old favorites. She was a generous and loving woman who liked nothing better than treating her family to a great meal, peppered with lots of good conversation and laughter. Margie had a smile that could light up any room.

Margie’s greatest joy was her daughter Carla. An active single mother, she and Carla had a very close bond. Margie even successfully taught Carla how to drive a stick-shift. (Both survived.) But it was her granddaughter Kailey who was, as most grandchildren are, the light of her life. She was so proud to watch Kailey grow into a confident young woman, start a career, and marry her college sweetheart. They were very close and they loved shopping together.

Margie is survived by her daughter Carla (Tommy) Culps, granddaughter Kailey (Tony) Galliani, brother Don (Illis) Gilliland, nieces Angie (Aaron) Craft, Ann Bopp and nephew Richard (Heather) Creech, along with their children Colin Craft, Hailey Bopp, and Gwendolyn Creech. She was preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Mary Gilliland and her sister, Peggy Jo Creech.

Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those she met and loved. Due to the impact of COVID-19, there will be no visitation or service. Per her request, Margie’s remains will be scattered at the Grand Canyon and on a future family trip to Alaska. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you celebrate and remember Margie’s life by making a donation in her name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.  

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