Dorothy Faye Mason Shelnutt, age 84, of Punkin Center, Texas, passed away Friday night, October 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Hospice of Wichita Falls.

In honoring Dorothy’s wishes, the family held a private gathering in her memory. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Electra.

Dorothy was born September 1, 1942, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to the late Herman and Lydia Marshall Mason.

She graduated from Burkburnett High School.

Dorothy married Ralph Gilbert January 2, 1960 in Plains, Texas. She and Ralph had three children, Shawn, Steven and Chad. The two of them opened Ralph’s Service Station in Punkin Center where she worked long days, and then went home and cooked a full meal and took care of the family.

Dorothy then married Hershel Shelnutt on July 24, 1986 in Wichita Falls.

After this, she attended cosmetology school and worked in a beauty shop. Dorothy then opened Hard Times Café in Electra, where she served up home cooked food daily. Hard Times was very popular among the locals in Electra and Punkin Center, with people still talking about it today, even after being closed for many years. Dorothy also worked in the cafeterias of Electra Memorial Hospital and Electra Independent School District, cleaned business offices and was an in-home caregiver.

She enjoyed baking for her family and friends. Dorothy had a love of cats and her home was always open to her cats, plus any neighborhood friends they might bring home with them. She was also fond of a casino trip. More than anything though, Dorothy loved her simple, country life, spending it with her family and sitting on her front porch with Hershel, while enjoying what God created.

Dorothy attended the First United Methodist Church of Electra.

Survivors include one daughter, Shawn Thaggard of Punkin Center; two sons, Steven Gilbert and wife, Kim and Chad Gilbert and Stacey, all of Punkin Center; her daughter-in-law, Sherry Gilbert of Punkin Center; eight grandchildren, Justin Moenning and wife, Ashley, Jerrin Thaggard and wife, Kortney, Brittany Byrd and husband, Cody, Stephanie Gilbert and Wayne Marsh, Greg Gilbert and wife, Jenna, Bodi Gilbert and wife, Whitney, Boyd Gilbert, and Emily Gilbert; seventeen great-grandchildren; one sister, Patricia Gilbert; three brothers, Donald Mason, Rickey Mason and Mickey Mason; the father of her children, Ralph Gilbert; her lifelong companion, Hershel Shelnutt; numerous nieces and nephews; and her many beloved cats.

She was also preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Mason.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76310 or First United Methodist Church of Electra, Post Office Box 846, Electra, Texas 76360.