Shelby Frizzell Torrance M.D.    
 
SHELBY FRIZZELL TORRANCE, M.D., slipped gracefully away from us, Saturday morning, October 30, 2004. We pray for her eternal rest, and joy in the loving arms of our Lord through Jesus Christ, Amen. Born in Athens, Texas, October 21, 1923; the third child of Jo Ella and John Bunyan Frizzell; she had just celebrated her 81st birthday. Dr. Torrance is survived by her daughter, Susan Shelby Torrance, and sister, Bess Casanova. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Bunyan Frizzell, Jr., and brother William Decal Frizzell. Numerous nieces, nephews, and all of their children, complete the circle of surviving relatives. Friends, Dr. Mary Jane Haskins, and Susan East, assisted the family in providing loving care for Shelby in her final years as her health, and memory began to fade. Dr. Shelby Torrance served as chairman of the Women's Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department for Del Mar Jr. College beginning in 1950. In addition she was the varsity coach for the Men's and Women's tennis teams, when Del Mar participated in Jr. College athletics. Always a pioneer, and community leader, she became the coordinator for Health Education at Del Mar College, before completing 34 years and retiring. She was directly responsible for the construction of the Del Mar Aquatics Center, and adjacent tennis courts. Recognizing her dedication to excellence, and her students; a permanent plaque was erected, and the tennis courts were named for her upon her retirement. After retirement from Del Mar Jr. College in 1984, she became the USPTA Director of the HEB Tennis Center in Victoria, Texas; and later held the same position at Al Kruse Tennis Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Academic training included B.S., the University of Texas at Austin; M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University in New York; and Ed D., the University of Texas in Austin. As a community and educational leader, her enthusiasm, and energy were boundless. She was the first woman to serve as a Chairman of the Officiating Committee for the NCAA National Men's Tennis Championships held in Corpus Christi, 1975 and 1976. Numerous local organizations benefited from her long service on the Board of Directors including, the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Water Safety Committee, Texas Tennis Association, and local Tennis Umpires Committee. Honors included Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Del Mar College (1970); Outstanding Educators of America (1975); Twenty-Year Service Award, Coastal Bend American Red Cross (1976); Certificate of Merit from the American Cancer Society (1975); and Appreciation Award from the Corpus Christi Tennis Association for leadership and the founding of the Corpus Christi Umpires Association (1976). Throughout her long career, Dr. Shelby Torrance loved people, promoted education, and believed in tennis and swimming as the most beneficial lifetime sports available. As a tennis competitor, she was a High School Texas 4A Singles champion from Austin High School, Texas Women's Open titles in Singles and Doubles, were achieved while playing No. #1 for the University of Texas in Austin. Shelby continued to win various USTA age divisions, and special categories, including Texas Section Mother/Daughter champion, for 4 decades. Following a lifetime of achievement, she was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame; along with Howard E. Butt, Sr., George Richey, and Edgar Weller in 1990. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at Seaside Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, November 4, 2004 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00 p.m. in Corpus Christi, Texas. Final Interment will be at the Shelby Chapel in Athens Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests your donation to "The Dr. Shelby F. Torrance Youth Tennis Fund". This find was established by Hugh and Anne Dobson, and is administered through the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, 600 Leopard, Corpus Christi, Tx. 78401. Tennis opportunities, educational goals, and good citizenship are promoted through this fund for children requiring financial assistance. Dr. Torrance, you will be remembered always. Know that all who knew you were touched and inspired by your love. True to her calling, II Timothy 4:7 was her favorite scripture. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." SEASIDE FUNERAL HOME 4357 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 994-3805 
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 11/1/2004.