Mr. Roy Neal Shelling, Sr.
Mr. Roy Neal Shelling, Sr., an outstanding personality in the Monroe community for nearly five decades, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at age 76, after a lengthy illness.
A descendant of the historically rich Dunn family which led the Monroe community as city councilmen and civic leaders after slavery in Ouachita Parish, Shelling made a reputation for himself in the local community as an athlete, educator, and politician.
Reared by Aunt: Shelling was reared by his great aunt Lillie Shelling, when his mother, Dorothy Dunn, died when he was only three years old. His father was Henry Ford Shelling. He often fondly recalled growing up in shotgun houses of Washington Street and living in the projects in Newtown. He attended Carroll High School where he was a member of the school football team, and later obtained a Master's Degree from Grambling State University.
Marries Brenda: On July 13, 1963 he married Brenda Manual from New Iberia, a New Iberia beauty known as "Queen Brown Sugar." Together their union produced two children: Cassandra on September 21, 1964 and Roy Shelling, Jr on November 27, 1967. In his lifetime, Shelling served as a teacher, shop teacher, football coach, reserve police officer, principal of Lee Jr. High and Lincoln Elementary School, and recreation center director for the City of Monroe.
At Grambling State University he was a fearless halfback who had lightning speed. Despite his abilities he could never earn the sought after nod of legendary coach Eddie Robinson who favored big bruising running backs, not the little running backs like Shelling. He fondly remembers times when sports writers and pro scouts watched him with interest after he almost single handedly lead the Tigers in a win over Prairie View, but still couldn't get coach Rob's nod of approval for the pros; in Rob's opinion Shelling was just too little.
Enjoyed Teaching: Of all of his endeavors, he often said he enjoyed teaching the most because it gave him an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Known as a strict disciplinarian, Shelling often chastised students for breaking rules and gained their respect. When he joined the faculty of Lee Jr. High as dean of students and later as vice-principal, he brought his infamous whipping belt he named "baby" with him and used it on rule breaking students both black and white.
Lincoln Principalship: He reluctantly accepted the principalship of Lincoln Elementary School in 1983 at the urging of then assistant superintendent Richard O. Miles. Shelling had only two real goals and both of them evaded him all of his life: to become head football coach at Carroll High School and to be the principal of Carroll High. (He did play the role of Henry Carroll in the stage play "Bossman" during the community Black Heritage Celebration at decade ago). At Lincoln, he brought discipline and order and gained a reputation from running a tight ship at the school.
Knew Their Names: One of his greatest secrets as a principal was his ability to know every child's name and something about the child's family. Lincoln graduations became community events because he often stopped every graduate to tell a story about the student, and had the student's family to stand for words of praise. He often brought laughter when he told graduates that he unsuccessfully tried to date their grandmothers. Some were disappointed when there was no "I tried to date your grandma" stories at their graduation. His ability to connect with families and students endeared him to hundreds of families over the years.
Political Aspirations: While he was a success as an educator, his forays in the world of politics were less than successful. He unsuccessfully sought election as the District 17 State Representative against Attorney Charles Jones, using "Home Grown and Ready to Serve" as a campaign theme. He also had a failed attempt to become a city council from District Five against the late Charles Johnson. There were other political interests, but he took the background after failing himself and became the supporter of his wife's Brenda Shelling's school board and mayoral runs.
Loved Brenda: Through all of his life, he told his biographer, Dr. James McHenry who recorded his words in the book "Indigenous Black People of Monroe, La." his wife Brenda was his mainstay. He said she was a superwoman because "When I got married Brenda was number 10 in the second tier of 10, but she hung in there with me time and time again. I tell her girl, if I were you I would have left me a long time ago. I love her dearly."
When he died, Brenda was by his side.
Flamboyant and outspoken, Shelling leaves a colorful legacy of service, compassion for children and leadership that spanned five decades in the Monroe community.
He is gone, but not forgotten.
**Source: Monroe Free Press April 2017**