Alta Marie McShan, 77, of Brownwood, died Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Brownwood Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 at St. John’s Episcopal Church under the direction of the Very Rev. Andrew F.L. Bradley. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home. Alta was born in Holder (Brown County), Texas, on Aug. 18, 1926, to Oley and Ila Gammon Boyd. She lived all her life in Brown County. She was a long time member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where she also served as the adult leader for the church youth group and was the church’s nursery attendant for a number of years. She was a Licensed Vocational Nurse who served the health care community for more than 40 years before her retirement. She married Rayford Phillip McShan in Brady, Texas, on Sept. 5, 1947. He preceded her in death in 1959. Survivors include one daughter, Denise Tharp and her husband, C.J., of Brownwood; one son Michael McShan and his wife, Lanet, of Brownwood; four grandchildren, Tina Henry and Angie Tharp of Brownwood, Amy Garcia and her husband, Anthony, of Lubbock, and Micha McShan of Lubbock; four great-grandchildren, Caitlynd, Cassidie, Bailey and Michael; two sisters, Mathine Morrow of Early and Willie Fern Doyle of Las Vegas, Nev.; two brothers, J.D. Boyd of Kalona, Iowa and Billy Boyd of Midland; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Oswald Boyd. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the St. John’s Episcopal Young Churchmen. Her many friends are invited to attend her memorial service at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 where her life will be celebrated.