Carolyn Rench Shellhaas

Carolyn Jean Rench Shellhaas of Albany, Georgia peacefully passed away on her 95 th Birthday, Monday, June 30, 2025. A family Graveside service will be held in September at Crown Hill Cemetery in Albany where she will be laid to rest beside her husband of 63 years, Donald Dale Shellhaas. Carolyn Jean Rench was born on a farm near Troy, Ohio on June 30, 1930. She was the first female to graduate from High School in her family. Carolyn grew up on a farm in central Ohio with her two brothers, Carl and Robert (Bob) whom she stayed in close contact with her whole life. Carolyn married her high school sweetheart Don in 1950. She worked at General Electric Company and supported Don and reportedly did most of his homework while he attended The Ohio State University on the Gi Bill after serving during the Korean Conflict. Carolyn took great pride in his graduation from The OSU and always considered the degree was both of theirs. Their spirit of working as a team was predominant throughout their lives. They moved from Ohio to Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Georgia while Don worked for Anchor Hocking Corporation and then Hobart Corporation. She supported Don and raised her three children through seven moves over their extended career. She liked to work around the holidays at various retail establishments in the cities where they lived. She loved shopping and found the retail environment very stimulating. She was an avid reader throughout her lifetime. There was always a book at her side. She dabbled in writing short stories and poems, some of which gave insight into the changing domestic environment of the times which included the limitations of one car per family and so many family moves. She talked fondly of her time as a Boy Scout Den mother. She was a talented piano player and made sure her children learned to play. She was an avid Bridge player where she enjoyed and maintained many friendships throughout life. As a couple, they made lifelong friends from the many games they played along the way. Carolyn was a very good golfer who won the female club championships at several country clubs they belonged to. She embraced golf as a lifetime sport! Carolyn and Don enthusiastically passed their shared love of the game on to the next generation. Even a few of her grandchildren are still passionate golfers. She loved flowers and planted many varietals in the flower beds sprinkled around her yard. She was a lover of all animals, especially dogs and always had a poodle by her side. Her faithful furry friend, Dusty kept her company after Don passed away. The final stop in her lifetime of many relocations was Albany, Georgia where Don purchased the Hobart Agency. She worked beside him for many years part-time as the bookkeeper. She was finally able to stay in one place for 42 years and she loved calling Albany home. She built her ideal house on the 7th fairway of Doublegate Country Club. They had many friends and enjoyed their life in Albany. She was a member of Porterfield United Methodist Church, Suburban Women’s Club and The Red Hat Society. She sadly outlived most of her dear friends and missed them with all her heart. She was always a devoted Mother to her three children, Steve, Scott & Lori. She spent her final years in the loving hands of the staff at “The Pearl”. She was able to greet loving family with a smile and sometimes even a laugh until the end of her days. She is welcomed in Heaven by her loving husband, Donald Dale Shellhaas and her beloved Grandson, Benjamin Bright Shellhaas. She is survived by her three children, Stephen Shellhaas (Patti) of Albany, Scott Shellhaas (Ann) of Cumming, Ga and Lori Battles (Greg) of Columbus, GA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kyle Law (Savannah), Sarah Shellhaas (Atlanta), Sam Shellhaas (Atlanta), Nathan Shellhaas (Cumming), Ethan Shellhaas (Atlanta), Matthew Shellhaas (Cumming) and Noah Shellhaas (Cumming). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Albany Humane Society or a charity of your choice.

Carolyn Rench Shellhaas

June 30, 1930 - June 30, 2025