Izetta D. Shain

Izetta Dean Shain, age 88, passed away at home on January 13, 2021 following unexpected complications of an earlier heart attack. Izetta was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Walter C. Shain; her daughters and their spouses, Jan and Byron Shain-McCullough of Wichita Falls, TX; Julia and Mike Diebold of Wilmington, DE; and grandchildren Shain and Gwen Diebold. Although she was an only child, she had many relatives that she enjoyed staying in touch with throughout her life.

Izetta was born on July 4, 1932 to William Earl and Hattie Carter at home in Grayson County, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents and William Carter’s second wife, Eva Carter. Growing up she played the church organ and throughout her life she enjoyed singing along to the old time gospel songs. She grew up in Louisville, KY where she graduated from high school and met her husband. For twenty-four years she was a supportive military spouse and enjoyed the opportunities for travel and friendship that the many base assignments brought; across the US and in Germany and Thailand. Prior to their first assignment overseas, Izetta was a bank bookkeeper.

Izetta volunteered with Girl Scouts, an activity that she later picked up again with the involvement of both of her daughters in Girl Scouts. She was a wonderful cook and loved to collect and read cookbooks. Other hobbies included sewing, needlepoint, crocheting and family genealogy. She enjoyed reading and collecting books, especially books of Texas history. In her travels, she enjoyed historical sites, museums, and gardens. Texas was the starting point for many wonderful trips to the western National Parks.  After military retirement, Izetta and Walter lived in Muleshoe, TX for twenty-four years prior to moving to Wilmington, DE to be near family. In Muleshoe, Izetta joined the local chapter of General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was an active supporter of the local library. She continued her GFWC membership when she moved to Delaware, joining and volunteering with the Woman’s Club of Claymont.