Brody Ray Shelby was born on November 18, 2011, a fighter. Brody won his final battle with Glioblastoma on October 31, 2021 with his mom holding one hand and his dad holding the other, when the Lord called him home to be healed. He was surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents, and stepdad. Being born with Spina Bifida he was a fighter and an overcomer in every sense of the word. Later in life at age 3 he overcame anaplastic ependymoma brain cancer. He was 5 years cancer free when diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Brody lived big and loved bigger. He could always see the good in people, always had a forgiving heart, and wanted everyone to be kind to each other. From a young age he noticed things many of us take for granted, especially sunsets. He loved looking at a beautiful sunset and always stopped to take notice. In his final and most important overcoming he overcame death by giving his heart to the Lord in July and following his Lord in Baptism in September.
Brody loved to be outdoors. He enjoyed exploring, mushroom hunting, hunting, and fishing with his dad Chad Shelby, his uncles and Poppy. While he was sometimes impatient, he was the best hunting or fishing partner a person could ask for. He liked rocks, not just any rocks they had to be “cool ones” and his collection of each creek trip are scattered in the homes of many who loved him. He loved animals and was constantly trying to catch a lizard or a frog to keep in a tank or playing with his beloved dog Toby. He also enjoyed collecting fire and police department patches from departments around the world and had a huge Emergency Services family. He was named an honorary fireman with Springfield Fire and an honorary Fire Chief with the Timber Knob Fire Department whom he was introduced by his stepdad James Walley. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandparents, aunts, and uncles on whatever crazy adventure that they had planned. He adored his mom Bobbie Jo, whom he affectionately called Momma and she adored him. The pair were often inseparable. He also loved his siblings. He looked up to his older siblings. His brother Bryce often helped him in his animal keeping endeavors and his sister Baylie, was the mother hen, always making sure Brody was taken care of. He enjoyed playing Minecraft and Roblox with his sister Peyton Walley as well as his cousins. His little sister Berklee Walley was also special to him. Most of their time together was spent cuddling up on the couch watching TV, with Brody trying to be the same to her that the older kids had been to him.
He was greeted at Heavens Gates by His Poppy Joe Dinger as well as his Grandpa Larry and a host of other great grandparents and family who have went on before him.
Left to mourn are his mother Bobbie Jo and stepdad James Walley as well as his brother and sisters Bryce Shelby, Baylie Shelby, Peyton Walley and Berklee Walley of Isabella, his father Chad Shelby of Forsyth, his Poppy and Meme Randy and Cindy Shelby of Fort Myers FL, Grammy Barb and Papa Jerry of Rockaway Beach, Great Grandma Harris of Danville, IA, and Great Grandma and Grandpa Plummer of Kentucky, aunts and uncles Sunday Balisle (Cody) of Kissee Mills, Chad Ervin (Sarah) of Forsyth, Derek Ervin (Serena) of Cedar Creek, Mandy Dinger-Rogers of Forsyth, and a host of cousins, great aunts and uncles, and others that loved him.
The family would like to thank all the amazing medical staff that fought with Brody as well as the many people in the communities that helped support Brody and his family through all his battles. Your kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed. Brody touched many people, and the full magnitude of his inspiration may never be known.
Memorial Services will be held at the church he loved, Grace Baptist Church at 24 Calvary Dr, in Gainesville, MO on November 13 at 3 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Chris Hope Foundation, 516 Tennessee St. Ste. 416, Memphis, TN 38103 or online at chrishopefoundation.org to help other families who are fighting.
