The Central Texas flooding on July 4 had a devastating impact on countless communities. The geological community was no exception.
Michelle “Shellie” Crossland, executive director of the West Texas Geological Society, lost her life along with her husband Cody Crossland and several family members. The Midland native was spending the weekend with her family when the disaster hit.
Crossland interacted frequently with AAPG members during her four years serving the WTGS, an AAPG affiliated society.
A Cherished Part of the Community
Past AAPG President Charles Sternbach described Shellie as a problem-solver and self-starter.
“Shellie was a delight, extremely hard working, and she made good things happen. She was very special to the West Texas Geological Society, and a wider global community of geoscientists remembers her fondly. She will be missed by more than the Midland Community,” he said.
Crossland grew up in the oil and gas business. Her father, Wayne Helms, managed several core analysis companies in Midland, so most WTGS members and others working in exploration knew him. They mourned with Shellie when Wayne passed away two years ago.
Katrina Soundy, asset geologist at Chevron, met Crossland during her time serving as editor-in-chief for the WTGS Bulletin.
“I volunteered with WTGS during the pandemic, and the exit from that environment. It was a stressful time, and Shellie was always a light of empathy and positivity,” Soundy said. “Shellie was an incredibly thoughtful and selfless person – she always went out of her way to make people feel recognized, which gave a lot of heart and soul to how the WTGS functioned. I always appreciated how she went out of her way to do that.”
A Vibrant Personality
Bob Lindsay, AAPG past president and honorary life member, said Crossland was a hard worker with a vibrant personality who always wore a smile.
“I remember back when I first joined WTGS how each executive director kept the society running so well and headed in the right direction,” he said.
“When the last one retired, I thought, ‘Who could ever replace a gal like that?’ Then along came Shellie. She took to being executive director like a duck taking to water. As members of WTGS, we were lucky to have her. Shellie kept things going and never shirked a task.”
Lindsay’s last interaction with Crossland occurred two weeks before her death.
“I dropped by the WTGS office to pick up a field trip guidebook. There was Shellie with the guidebook and her big smile,” he said. “In the parking lot was a beautiful Corvette. It was hers. We had the most wonderful time talking about Corvettes. Little did I know that would be the last time we would talk in this life.”
Parting Words
Lindsay had a special message for Crossland upon her passing.
“So, to you my dear friend Shellie, on the other side of the veil, ‘well done my good and faithful servant.’ We shall miss you. We know you are in a much better place, reunited with your family members. Heavenly Father called you back early at age 50 and must have a special task for you to perform on the other side because you are so capable and willing to help,” he said.
Crossland died alongside her husband Cody, her sister Tasha Ramos; brother-in-law Joel Ramos and niece, Kyndall.
She is survived by her mother, Tonya Helms; her children, Celeste Helms, Hailey Chavarria, Xavier Ramirez and Hayden Crossland; her grandkids, Jackson Cabrera and Toni Guerra; and her niece, Devyn Smith.