Delores June Shockley of Dunbar, WV passed away peacefully on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Born as Delores June Sansom in Three Forks, WV on September 16, 1944, she lived most of her life in West Virginia. Her parents were Clyde Junior Sansom and Freda Gibson. Her siblings Zettie, Randal and Madeline, called her "Kitten" while later in life, others called her "Momma Shockley".

She worked as a waitress at many places, including Shoney's in Charleston and Pinnacle Drive Inn in Pineville, WV. It was her work as a reserve officer for the Dunbar Police Department in Dunbar, WV that she found most rewarding.

In was the summer of 1962 a young engineer from Oceana, WV met and fell in love with Delores at the Pinnacle Drive Inn in Pineville, WV. Larry D. Shockley quickly proposed and they were married on New Year's Eve 1962 at Rock Castle Church in Rockview, West Virginia.

Larry left his job designing the guidance systems for minuteman missiles for Boeing aircraft out west to remain with his new bride in WV. He was soon employed as an engineer by FMC and later C&P Telephone company. Delores became a mother to Brian, Laura and Larry. The family originally settled in Parkersburg before relocating to Dunbar in late 1974.

Delores had enduring friendships. She and Vivian "Beanie" Amos had a lifelong friendship. Mary Caldwell, Bonnie Smith, Betty Anderson, Janie Nellis, Kiki McMillan, Rieko Moyer and multiple members of the Dunbar Police Department were among her closest friends. She cherished these connections for the rest of her days.

Delores loved her community. After years of working as a school crossing guard and later as a reserve police officer, Delores decided to branch out and serve as a "den mother" for both the officers of the Dunbar Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department as well as the officers from  the West Virginia State Police.

The heart-felt appreciation for Delores's generosity culminated in her nomination for a Distinguished Citizen Award by Mayor Jack Yeager on behalf of the City of Dunbar in May 2011. The Dunbar Police Department also nominated her for WSAZ TV's  "Hometown Hero" on July 6th, 2012. The WV State Police presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her "selfless contributions and kindness shown to the members and civilians of the West Virginia State Police" in May 2013.

During her later years, it was her dear friends such as Chief B.L. Rinehart, Donna and Scott Elliott, Teresa Dent, Debra Sutler, her grandson Noah, nephew and Judge Michael Cochrane, nephew Chris Cook and his girlfriend Taylor, sister Zettie, and her brother Randal that spent many nights with her while she was recovering from breast cancer.

Delores has seven grandchildren from her own children. She considered many law enforcement members to also be her "babies", and they in return called her "Momma Shockley".

Those who would like to celebrate Delores's wonderful life are cordially invited to come to her Birthday Celebration at the activity building at Dunbar City Park in Dunbar on September 16 at 7:00 PM.

Feel free to bring a covered dish if you would like. Most importantly: BRING YOUR STORIES!!

Those who would like to donate to her headstone and other expenses at Grandview Memorial Park in Dunbar can contact Kemba Charleston FCU in Dunbar at 1-304-768-5796 and ask to contribute to Loan 3 under the name of Larry Shockley.

And last but not least, those who have women in their lives they truly love are urged to make mammograms a yearly event.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

www.kellerfuneralhome.net