Nell Shepperd Hambrick

Amelia Nell Shepperd Hambrick of Waco, passed away Friday, April 8, 2016. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Amelia Nell Shepperd Hambrick was born in Ballinger, Texas, on February 2, 1917 to Elmer Shepperd and Mary Lou Robinson (Robb) Keys Shepperd. She graduated from Ballinger High School in 1934 and enrolled in Baylor University. While a student at Baylor, Nell often traveled with President and Mrs. Pat Neff and her cousins, the Keys Quadruplets, as their piano accompanist, raising funds for the university. She was named Most Representative Student for her senior year, an award the product of her membership and service as president of Alpha Omega, vice president of Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, and president of the Fidelis First Baptist Church Sunday School class. She also participated in Sigma Delta Pi, the BSU Council and Memorial House Council. After graduation, she taught briefly in Ranger, Texas, before moving back to Ballinger where she taught 7th grade English. Nell and Charles Mayo Hambrick married June 5, 1940. When Charles returned from military service in World War II, he opened a jewelry store in Ballinger and Nell raised their two young children, then resumed her teaching career. A member of Ballinger First Baptist Church, she played the organ and taught Sunday School. Upon retirement in the 1980s, Nell and Charles moved to Waco to be near their children and Nell’s sister Louise Graves. Nell renewed many Baylor friendships and rejoined First Baptist Church of Waco where she became an active member of the Dorcas Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, her brother Pat Ennis Shepperd, sister Louise Shepperd Graves, and her son-in-law Gary Welch. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Welch, son Pat Hambrick and wife Doriss, all of Waco, grandchildren Lance Welch and wife Nanette of Boerne, Cam and wife Stacey Welch of Dallas, Cody and wife Erin Welch of Indianapolis, IN, Whitney Welch of Kerrville, Kate Hambrick of Corpus Christi, and Liza and husband Jay Cunningham of Waco, and great grandchildren Remington, Ryder, Wilson, Ross, Sterling, and Jackson Welch, Spencer Hambrick, and Daniel Cunningham. Honorary pallbearers are Lance, Cam and Cody Welch, George and Berry Graves, and Jay Cunningham. In lieu of flowers, Nell requested that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Waco Music Ministry or the Charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.