Avah Louise Shelby

CARBONDALE - Avah Louise (Phillips) Shelby, 87, went to be with the Lord after a brief illness, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Avah was born on May 30, 1938, in Harrisburg, IL, to William Brose and Elsie (Voslow) Phillips. She married the love of her life, Jack M. Shelby, on February 8, 1959. Avah earned her Diploma in Nursing from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, MO, in 1961, and graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1962.

Avah knew from an early age that God was calling her to be a missionary, with a special calling to work in China. When she and Jack were appointed as missionaries with the Foreign Mission Board, now the International Mission Board, of the Southern Baptist Convention, the region of China was closed to missionaries. Undeterred, they accepted the invitation to work with Chinese people in the country of Malaysia, first living in Hong Kong where they learned to speak Cantonese fluently. They lived in Malaysia until 1982, transferring at that time to India, where she worked at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital. In 1986, they had the privilege of seeing the country of China reopen, and found great joy in working with the people to whom God had called them so many years before. In 1992, they transferred to the continent of Europe, working in Germany and Russia. Her training as a nurse proved to be a Godsend, both to her family and all those with whom she came into contact, caring for a variety of health needs and training local nurses both by example and through nursing education. After 31 years of missionary service, she and Jack retired, and returned to Illinois.After retirement, Avah worked at the Capitol Building in Springfield, IL, providing nursing services to the staff.

Avah loved working hand-in-hand with Jack, and found great joy in spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whenever possible. She loved to play the piano and was frequently the church pianist or organist when serving on the mission field. She loved needlework, reading, and working difficult crossword puzzles.She especially enjoyed quiet evenings at home, playing TriOminos, knowing all the obscure answers while watching Jeopardy, and telling wonderful stories about the rich life with which God blessed her. Her favorite Scripture passage was Jeremiah 29:11-13, and she frequently encouraged her family and friends with timely truths from the word of God, enriching the lives of those around her throughout her life. Avah loved the Lord and used the gifts He gave to serve all He placed in her path. In a final act of service, upon her death her body was donated to medical science.

Avah enjoyed 64 beautiful years of marriage to Jack, who has been waiting for her in heaven since October of 2023. Her parents and older brother (Phillip Wayland Phillips) also preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Irma (Jack) Randoph; her children Melanie (Philip) Nelson, James Mark Shelby (Julie), Scott Shelby; grandchildren Lydia Nelson, Moriah (Charlie) Lucio, Hannah (Nicholas) Pellman, Rebekah (Brandon) McNeely, Peter (Heather) Nelson, Catherine (Jason) Allison, Megan (Paul) Miller, Ashley Reed, Eric (Elisa) Reed; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Avah's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Lakeland Baptist Church, Carbondale, IL, with Pastor Philip Nelson officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made in Avah's name to the Lottie Moon Offering of the International Mission Board, to support overseas missions and will be accepted at the church; please write checks to "Lakeland Baptist Church" and designate the gift using the memo line. Memorial contributions may also be made online at lakelandcarbondale.com.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:9)

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Avah, please visit www.meredithfh.com