Evelyn Lorraine Shropshire

SHROPSHIRE, Evelyn Lorraine (Balez), age 104, formerly of Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, in Sulphur, Louisiana. In recent years, Evelyn had lived at Holly Hills Nursing Center in Sulphur, aided by the daily loving care of her daughter, Martha Polk, and son-in-law, Lattie Polk. Prior to that, she had lived with her son, Bob Shropshire, for many years in Katy, Texas.

Evelyn enjoyed a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was a loving daughter and sister, a devoted wife and mother, a smart and dedicated worker for over 42 years … and she treasured her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Born on October 10, 1921, in Galveston, Texas, Evelyn was the first of two daughters of Clarence Ernest Balez (1895-1957) and Bridget Delia Sullivan (1895-1981). After her younger sister, Betty, was born, the family started a dairy farm in the Aldine area, north of Houston. Evelyn and Betty grew up on the farm during the Great Depression. They were raised with strong family values and an appreciation for life – to “take it as it comes.” As sisters, Evelyn and Betty remained cherished friends for life.

Evelyn graduated from Marrs High School in Aldine, and briefly attended Texas State Women’s University in Denton, Texas. She was a devout Catholic, nurtured by her enduring faith. She began every day with prayers and a rosary. She volunteered at her church wherever she lived, and in her golden years became a Eucharistic minister at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Katy, Texas.

Evelyn was fun and she loved life. She loved to work, and she loved to play. You could always count on her to look on the bright side. She was honest, dependable, and forthright. She had a pioneering spirit, and a strong work ethic. She loved to go and do and see. Not one for laziness or procrastination, she did her work first, then enjoyed her favorite pastimes and activities. Evelyn was an expert seamstress, a dedicated homemaker … and like her mother, she was a gifted gardener. She always had a good book to read, a daily crossword puzzle to keep her mind sharp, and more often than not both were accompanied by a nice glass of “Texas Red.”

Evelyn worked at the forefront of emerging technology in computing and data processing. She began her career as a key punch operator in Houston in the 1940s. While working there in the insurance industry, she met her future husband and perfect playmate, Robert Felix “Bob” Shropshire.

During the war, Bob and Evelyn were married in Chicago in January 1943. While there, Evelyn worked at Nielsen Research where she learned to wire computer boards. When Bob left for his tour of duty, Evelyn returned to Houston to work at IBM, and to volunteer on the homefront with the American Red Cross.

After the war, Bob and Evelyn adopted four children in Houston, from 1952-1957. After living in Amarillo for a short time, they settled down to raise their kids in Corpus Christi. Bob and Evelyn loved Padre Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the sparkling waters of Corpus Christi Bay. They taught themselves how to sail by reading a book from the library, and they were known for their fabulous fish frys at the beach.

For over twenty-five years, Bob and Evelyn worked together at Sid Murray Insurance Agency in Corpus Christi. There, Evelyn continued to apply her knowledge in the latest computer systems and programs. Together they drove to work every day, had picnics by the bay at lunch, and drove home together after work. They were an inseparable pair.

Bob and Evelyn retired from Sid Murray Insurance in the 1980s, but they weren’t done yet! Staying ever-busy and devoted as a team, they bought a piece of rural property near Sinton, Texas. Evelyn relished the chance to return to farm life, and together they grew organic vegetables, raised honey bees, goats and chickens, a pig named Rosemary, and they founded the South Texas Rabbitry … all while running a laundromat in town as a side job. Ultimately, they moved back to Houston to live closer to family and grandkids. There they enjoyed several years of leisure time and road trips before Bob passed away.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Shropshire; her parents, Clarence and Delia Balez; her sister Betty Allen; her grandson, Tommy Reasonover; her nephews, Derrell Allen and Ricky Allen; and her niece, Pam Pizzino.

Evelyn is survived by four children: Martha Polk (Lattie), Robert W. Shropshire (Angela), Becky Zimman (David), Paul Shropshire (Stephanie); seven grandchildren: Sheleigh Moran (Rob), Stephaney Weatherly (Caleb), Ashley McWilliams (BJ), Lal Zimman, Hana Zimman, Fiona Rubiano, Erika Shropshire; seven great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Evelyn and the family wish to express our sincere appreciation for the extraordinary compassion, joy and care of the nurses, CNAs, staff and supportive friends at Holly Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sulphur, LA; and to Evelyn’s previous caregivers who had watched her around the clock while she was convalescing at home in Katy, TX.

Contributions in Evelyn’s memory may be made to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 5278, Tipton, IA 52772-0517. Catholic Relief Services https://www.crs.org

Services are pending