Shelby Hereford, III was born to Shelby Hereford, Jr. and Annie Belle (Bivines) Hereford (both deceased) on September 10, 1968, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the only boy of 5 children, sandwiched in the middle between 2 sisters on each side. His early childhood education was completed in Detroit Public Schools, and he graduated from Central High School in 1987. He moved to Texas to attend Texas Southern University in Houston. While at TSU, he pledged in the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. He then migrated up to Dallas where his oldest sister was residing. Shelby continued his education at DeVry Institute and finally at the prestigious LeCordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts where he obtained his degree in culinary arts and became a Chef. Shelby was passionate about cooking and worked in several hospitals, hotels, and restaurants throughout Dallas/Tarrant Counties. He worked as a chef until his health failed him in 2016.
Shelby (affectionately known as Joe, JoePo, Daddy, Pops, PopPop, Unk, Uncle, Shell) was the life of the party and loved to play dominoes and spades on his phone. Even with his health issues, he still thought he was the domino champion of DeSoto! He talked more smack than the law should allow! He was always crazy and loud and super funny!
There was not one person on the face of the Earth a bigger Pittsburgh Steelers fan than Shelby. Football season was always contentious in the house because Shelby was such a huge Steelers fan (and deep-seated Cowboys hater!!). He never wavered from his lifelong support of the Steelers even while living on the home turf of America’s Team for over 30 years.
Family was everything to him. He was the proud father of his first wife’s son, and he deeply loved his two daughters. Photo after photo chronicled his presence in their lives from the time of their first breath until his passing. His daughters loved him right back, as they would rotate on the weekends taking him to his dialysis appointments and would often run errands to buy him junk food!! He loved his nephews, he loved his nieces, he loved his sisters, he loved his friends, and he loved his extended family! He was fortunate to be loved in return. He was cared for by his sister Karen and brother-in-law Dale for the past 7 years, and even in sickness, there was never a dull moment around their home.
Shelby professed a belief in Christ and was under watch care at Community Missionary Baptist Church. He received in-home spiritual guidance and communion from longtime friend Min. Blandon Watson of Bon Air Baptist Church. Shelby transitioned peacefully at home and will be sorely missed.
Shelby is survived by his children: Sharelle (Tre’) Hereford; Myah McKnight, Diamond “Nuke” (Shay) Byrd. Five grandsons: Brenton, Diamond II, Phoenix, Cashine, Shia. Two granddaughters: Shaedyn and Leyah. Four sisters: Karen Bivines (Dale) Rabb of Desoto, TX; Tina Hereford of Atlanta, GA; Angela Hereford (Mark) Wilson of Russellville, AL; and Lawanda Hereford of Detroit, MI. Several nieces and nephews: Roshawn (Jamal), DeAngelo, Kiara, Rashaad; Shaunta, Terry, Jamie; Roderick, Ebony, Evelyn; Quiana, Latavia, Micah, and a host of great-nieces and nephews, aunts, cousins, in-laws, beloved extended family, very special lifelong friends, former co-workers, and caregivers.
