Shelvy Ann Bevel

Shelvy Ann (Williams) Bevel entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2025.

She was born to Walter Guy and Lucille (Stockton) Williams on July 19, 1937 in Barren County, Kentucky. She joined Pleasant Union Baptist Church at an early age and continued to be a faithful servant until her death.

As a child, she attended the one-room elementary schools of Hiseville and Pleasant Union, Kentucky. She started school at age four because she cried when she learned that her sister, Betty, would be going to school without her. The teacher expected Shelvy would stop attending within a few days. However that was not the case, she enjoyed school and was an excellent student. In 1954, she graduated from Ralph Bunche High School as valedictorian.

Following graduation, she worked as a domestic for one year to save money for college. In 1955, Shelvy Ann enrolled in Kentucky State College, Frankfort, Kentucky. She met Henry J. Bevel, Jr in the cafeteria on the first day of registration for the second semester of the 55-56 school year. The couple married on December 26, 1957.

Ann received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Education from Kentucky State in 1960. Her early career included working in customer service (as the first Black cashier at the A&P Grocery Store) and teaching elementary school. She began her career in social work at Kentucky State Hospital, a facility for mentally ill patients. After the family moved to Des Moines in 1971, she continued working in the field with positions at Polk County Social Services, SHARP, and the Des Moines Human Rights Commission.

She took her role as pastor’s wife seriously; serving as a member of the United Methodist Women, church committees, and singing in choirs. She traveled across Iowa with Henry when he visited churches as a guest speaker, singing prior to each of his sermons at his request.

In her free time, Ann could be found refurbishing the woodwork in their home, canning and freezing produce from Henry’s garden, reading, singing, and traveling. She took great pride in caring for each of the grandchildren when they were babies, even traveling out of town to fulfill her Grandmom/Grandmama/Yaya duties.

An avid reader and believer in education, Ann was a member of Des Moines Booklovers, serving as an officer for several years. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the Scholarship Fund at Burns UMC, named for her dear friend Leola Davis.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Henry, her parents, and siblings Walter Williams Jr, Eddie Williams, and Jewell Green.

She is survived by three children, Henry III (Daphne), Walt (Nikki), and Roxanna (Ron); five grandchildren: Malcolm, Kwame, Layla, Solé, and Khalil; one great-grandchild, Seth; sisters Betty Crayton and Minnie Jones (James); four nephews, three nieces, great nieces and great nephews; extended family and friends.

A Graveside Service for Mrs. Bevel will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 06, 2025, at Lou Green Cemetery in Hiseville, Kentucky. Visitation will be Saturday, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at A.F. Crow & Son Funeral Home.