On January 3, 2026, Jeri Groover Shellhorse formerly of Heflin, Alabama, now of White Plains, passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donnie Lee Shellhorse; her parents, Wallace “Jack” and Ruth Groover of Heflin, Alabama; and her sister Jane Groover Funderburk of Columbus, Georgia. She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Jay) McElroy of White Plains and Susan Shellhorse of Jacksonville, and her grandchildren Camryn and J. T. McElroy, Evan Ashley, and Julia Dean.

Jeri Shellhorse was born on July 23, 1948, the youngest of four sisters -- Judy Webb, Jane Funderburk, and Mary Jo Howard. While growing up, she attended school in Cleburne County. During her senior high years, she cheered the Tigers on the football field as they won the state championship. Mrs. Shellhorse graduated from Cleburne County High School in 1966. The following academic year she began classes at Jacksonville State University, later transferring to Auburn University. She graduated from Auburn in the Spring of 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Shortly after her graduation, she married Don Shellhorse and began teaching the following Fall at Cleburne County Elementary School. Later, she would return to Jacksonville State University to complete her Master of Science in Education.

She would continue teaching in the same school system for 37 years. Additionally, she would teach GED courses at Gadsden State Community College’s Ayers Campus, eventually retiring from the Cleburne County school system in 2008 and GSCC in 2013. She always enjoyed working with her students and colleagues. She loved hearing her students’ remembrances of their time in her class and of their lives since graduating.

From road trips to Pinnacle Port in Florida to cruises across the Atlantic to Spain and Italy, Mrs. Shellhorse enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Her favorite trip, however, was always to Auburn to watch the Tigers play, making gamedays into special occasions. Her love for her family and friends kept her young as she regularly made time to attend her grandchildren’s functions and kept a full social calendar filled with lunches with friends and events in the community.

To celebrate her life, the family will be holding visitation hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6 at Dryden Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at Forestlawn Gardens at 2:00 p.m. the same day. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or the charity of your choice.

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