Remembering Nelly Galloway Shearer

It is with much sadness we share with you of the passing of Nelly Galloway Shearer, former National President, Fraternity Housing Corporation President and Crown Development Trust Fund President, on August 11, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was 84.

Mrs. Shearer was initiated into Beta Sigma Chapter at Southwestern College at Memphis (now Rhodes College) on March 3, 1957. She served as District President, Province President and as an advisor to her collegiate chapter. She was elected Vice President Collegiate in 1972, beginning what would be 16 years of service on National Council. After one term as Vice President Collegiate, she was elected National President in 1974 and served two terms. In 1978, she was elected Secretary-Treasurer and served until 1988.

Mrs. Shearer spearheaded the effort to create and incorporate the ZTA Fraternity Housing Corporation in 1977. While serving as Secretary-Treasurer, she was also president of the FHC from 1982 to 1984. After retiring from National Council, she served as president of the Crown Development Trust Fund, predecessor to the ZTA Foundation.

She was a former officer of the Memphis ZTA Alumnae Chapter and a member of the chapter from 1963 to 2023.

She received the Honor Ring and Certificate of Merit of Zeta Tau Alpha. Her ZTA sisters endowed a Foundation Scholarship in her name after her retirement from National Council. The Achievement Award, the second highest honor given to a ZTA collegiate chapter, was named in her honor in 1990.

Mrs. Shearer was a well-respected Certified Public Accountant. She was preceded in death by her husband, James O. Shearer.

Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of Canale Funeral Directors in Memphis.

“Nelly,” as she was always known to her sisters, led our Fraternity with strength, financial expertise and love. We are all grateful for her service.