Myrtis Elenora Shannon, 87, of Beaumont, died Friday, July 24, 2015, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. She was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on February 14, 1928, to Ira Sawyer Woolley and Alban Edward Woolley, and had been a long time resident of Vidor and Beaumont

Elenora loved spending time with her husband of fifty-seven years, W. D. “Bill” Shannon. Together they raised five children and were loving members of an extended family of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her love and affection to all of the immediate and extended family gained her the name of “Big Mama”, which was her preferred calling with almost everyone.

She enjoyed traveling, cooking, and hosting family and friends. Elenora was a very active supporter of her children’s school activities. She was a people person, very generous and kind hearted, and was a blessing to everyone who met her.

She and husband Bill owned and operated Automatic Transmission Service in Beaumont for over forty years. Mrs. Shannon was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vidor from 1953 until her passing.

She is survived by her children: Douglas Shannon and his wife, Cynthia of Houston; Larry Shannon, of Beaumont; David Shannon and his wife, Cheryl, of Fayetteville, Georgia; and Melanie Shannon Daws and her husband, Randy, of Beaumont; daughter-in-law, Dr. Rhonda Shannon, of Houston; grandchildren, Larry Arnold, Lauri Arnold, Traci Shannon Porcelle, Kevin Shannon, Daryl Shannon, Bree Shannon Tuttle, Angela Mott Benoit, and Stephanie Mott; and a whole bunch of great-grandchildren.

Elenora is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Douglas Shannon; brother, Alban Edward Woolley, Jr.; son, Ted Lee Shannon; and grandsons, Derek Glen Shannon and William Douglas Shannon II.

A gathering of Mrs. Shannon’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2015, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Katie Pittman Activity Fund, 501 North Main Street, Vidor, Texas 77662.