ELSIE JANET FRIX SHELBY, Age 87, formerly of East Prairie, died at 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, January 05, 2010 at The Golden Age Living Center in New Madrid, from an extended illness.

Born September 21st, 1922, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late John Malcolm and Cora Willis Frix, she resided during early childhood in Bear Creek, Alabama. In her adolescent years she and her family relocated to Southeast Missouri and soon settled in East Prairie, Missouri. Elsie spent many years in the insurance business employed by Security Home Life and Union Fidelity Health and Life. Her territory extended throughout all of Southeast Missouri and Northern Arkansas. She received every commendation awarded by these companies including an all expenses paid vacation to Cancun, Mexico…her first trip outside the continental United States. She was known for her love of hunting to fishing and spent many years in Wappapello, Missouri enjoying those sports. Elsie was formerly a member of the First Christian Church in East Prairie and later joined the St. James Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and assisted with the treasury. She was also a member of the Rebekah State Assembly of Missouri, Prairie Queen Rebekah Lodge Number 523, I.O.O.F. of Missouri. She held the post of Chaplain and successfully delivered the unwritten work of the Rebekah Degree on many occasions and was awarded the Certificate of Perfection many times.

Elsie was coordinator of the first census conducted in Mississippi County. The early 1960 innumeration took months of planning and execution covering the vast territory of the county. She coordinated the effort with the assistance of dedicated citizens who assisted in the collection and tabulation of data. She later went on to volunteer her services to the Paralized Veteran's Association of America, the American Cancer Society, United way and many other charitable organizations and received local, county, state and national commendations for the financial contributions her efforts brought to these organizations. She was selected as the representative for the Midwest Region campaign for alzheimers in the 2004 Memory Walk raising money to find a cure for the disease. A long term resident of the Beverly Healthcare facility in New Madrid, Missouri she continued to spread joy to many through her wit and humor. Elsie will be missed so much by her family and friends…the little bare footed girl from Alabama touched the hearts of so many who knew her for her wit and wisdom.

Surviving are: one daughter, Jeannette George of Montreal, Missouri; one son, David Butler of Tallahassee, Florida; five granddaughters, Susan Paskel of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Michelle Nichols of Denver, Colorado, Elaine Mallahan of Montreal, Missouri, Leigh Ann Bone and Lisa Simmons both of Charleston, Missouri, two grandsons, Spud Hockersmith of Slidell, Louisiana and Richard Hockersmith of Salem, Missouri, four great granddaughters, 10 great grandsons and a host of family members and friends throughout the United States.

In addition to her father and mother, Elsie was preceded in death by husband and father of her first child, Eugene True; her daughters, Barbara True Singleton and Sharon Butler Powell; by her husband Audie Lee Butler; by her brothers Howard, Hayden, Buster and Cecil and sisters Jeffie, Bertha, Estell, Idell, Inez, Anna Bea and Lois, and her grandson James Hockersmith. Also, one great granddaughter, Lucy Belle Mallahan preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2010 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Martin Lucas of East Prairie, and Richard Hockersmith of Salem, Missouri will officiate.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Richard Hockersmith, Dustin Bone, Ethan Bone, Chuck Simmons, Bruce Simmons and Tim Boyer.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com