SMITH COUNTY - FRIENDSHIP CEMETERY


Shore, Grace Ann (Rose)

Memorial services for Grace Ann Rose Shore will be held at 1pm on Friday, March 12, 2010 at Longview's First United Methodist Church with the Reverend David Lindwall and the Reverend Steve Ditmore officiating. Burial will precede the memorial service in Friendship Cemetery outside of Gladewater under the direction of Welch Funeral Home.

Grace died on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at a local hospice facility after a long and courageous fight against cancer. 

Grace is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Ronald Shore; three loving sons, Stephen and his wife Teresa of Longview, Michael and his wife Judy of Dallas, and Kenneth and his wife Lindsey of Longview and eight grandchildren, David Shore of Fort Hood, Texas, Brian, Catherine, and Patrick Shore of Longview, Gatlin and Emma Rose Shore of Dallas and Henry and Phillip Shore of Longview. Additional survivors include her mother, Allyene Rose Angel of Longview, two sisters, Elane Osteen and her husband Jay of Gladewater and Kathryn Branum and her husband Jerry of Dallas, two nephews, Clint Osteen and his wife Kathy and Bryan Osteen and his wife Lacey, two nieces, Kinsey Powell and her husband Scott and Kelly Branum and her brother-in-law Bill Shore and his wife Betty of Kilgore and their children.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Rose, and her stepfather, Harold Angel.

Grace was born to Harold Rose and Allyene Gatlin Rose in Kilgore, April 9, 1941. She graduated from Gladewater High School as salutatorian and attended Kilgore College. Grace and Ron were married May 29, 1960, and continued their education at The University of Texas in Austin. Grace graduated from the University of North Texas in 1964 with a B.S. in mathematics and education. She received a Master's of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1973. 

Her career included teaching math for seven years in Texas and California. She and Ron worked together to operate TEC Well Service and Shore Production in Longview for 33 years.

Grace led a life filled with service to her church, her community and her state. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and a member and teacher of the Henry Foster Sunday School class for many years. She was elected to the Texas State Board of Education and served from 1998-2002, leading it as Chairman for 2001-2002. Additionally, she was a board member of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation from 2003-2005 and a member of the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission from 1996-2004. 

Her other memberships included Zonta Club of Longview, Longview Federated Clubs, Republican Women of Gregg County, Captain William Young NSDAR, and the Association of Energy Service Companies. She especially enjoyed her book club, which she was a member of for thirty-six years. Recognition came to her through a number of civic awards. The Zonta Club honored her as Longview Woman of Achievement for 2001. She was selected for the first Stars over Longview Award in 2002, and Longview Federated Clubs selected her as Woman of the Year in 2008. That same year she received from the Republican Party of Gregg County and the County Chair's Lifetime Achievement Award. Also in 2008 the Gladewater Former Students' Association presented her with their Outstanding Alumni Award. 

Grace Shore loved being with her family and with friends, reading, traveling with Ron in their motorhome and on trips abroad, attending NASCAR events and watching the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. A recent joyful event was the 50th reunion of Gladewater's Class of '59 this past fall. An intelligent, well-read, caring person with a great sense of humor, she made a difference in the lives of many. The truest of friends and loyal supporter of all that she loved, Grace Shore will be missed. 

Memorials may be made to Asbury House Child Enrichment Center, 320 South Center, Longview, Texas 75601. 

Pallbearers will be David Shore, Brian Shore, Jay Osteen, Jerry Branum, Clint Osteen and Bryan Osteen.