Lawrence James Shelvin. Sr.

On Monday, July 5, 2021, God called Bishop Lawrence Shelvin, Sr., to his eternal resting place.

Funeral services for Lawrence James Shelvin, Sr., 84, of Jennings will be held at Faith Life Church in Jennings on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 11 a.m., with Reverend Leo Kelly officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Faith Life Church, located at 123 West Division St. in Jennings, beginning Friday, July 9, 2021, from 5-9 p.m. Visitation will resume Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 8 a.m. until the time of his service at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow in Peterson Cemetery.

Bishop Shelvin was born Feb. 20, 1937, to the late Paul Shelvin and Martha Ringo, in Abbeville.

Bishop Shelvin was a devoted follower of God and was very faithful in the calling God put upon his life. He was a pastor for over 50 years, when God called him to become leader of Faith Life Church of God in Christ in 1992.

A graduate of Southern University of the Blind and Winbush Seminary School, Bishop Shelvin was very wellloved in the community. He loved to greet everyone at the church and at the barbecue stand on Saturdays. He loved fishing with his sons and grandsons. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and leader to everyone he knew.

Bishop Shelvin leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 36 years, Evangelist Theresa Shelvin, and his 12 children, including nine daughters, Jenny Shelvin of North Carolina, Tamage (Bobby) Maldonado of Houston, Texas, Regina Gabriel of Abbeville, Bonnie (Javis) Zeno of Welsh, Kalyn (Charles) Willridge, Deidra (Byron) Moses, Dianna (Charles) Williams, Charla (Joseph) Riley and Lenether Watson, all of Jennings, and three sons, Angelo Shelvin, Alfred White and Ernest Guidry, all of Abbeville. He leaves one sister, Audrey Scott of Abbeville; one special friend, Ernest Parker; one godchild, Yalonda White; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Martha Selvin; four sons, Paul Michael Shelvin, Lawrence Shelvin, Jr., Dwayne LeJeune and Shannon LeJeune; four daughters, Katherine Shelvin, Joslyn Shelvin, Margaret Levine and Mary Thibodeaux; two brothers, June Shelvin and Milton Willis; and one sister, Alzina Montgomery.

To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.