Nettie "Charlene" Shropshire

Nettie Charlene Shropshire, Miss Charlene to countless generations of swimmers, passed away at home on December 4, 2024. 

Charlene was born in New Castle, Indiana on July 29, 1929 to Henry and Lois (Ford) Pate and preferred to spend her time in the swimming pool at the Y whenever possible.  She graduated New Castle High School before her marriage to Elmer Clevenger in 1948.  The couple had three children, Michael, Cynthia, and Carol, before divorcing in 1965. 

She moved to the Indianapolis area in 1970 and it was there that she met Clyde “Bud” Shropshire, an architect whom she married in 1977.  Shortly thereafter she began a successful career as a Realtor, working with Carpenter and Tucker until her retirement in 2002.  

During retirement she returned to her first love of swimming, teaching children to swim first at Five Seasons Carmel and then Bridgewater Club Carmel before finally retiring at the age of 90.  She wrote and published her book, “Out of the Mouths of Babes” last year at the age of 93. 

She is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Lois (Ford) Pate; her first husband, Elmer Clevenger; her second husband, Clyde “Bud” Shropshire; and her daughter, Carol (Clevenger) Stephens. 

She is survived by her sister, Barbara (Pate) Adkins; children, Michael Clevenger and Cynthia (Ali) Mahjoub; stepdaughters, Anne Shropshire and Linda (Daniel) Ennis; her granddaughters, Amanda Stephens, Alisa Mahjoub, and Kristin (Daniel) Pulliam; grandsons, Scott Lowder and Kyle (Jessica) Ennis; her “adopted” granddaughter, Tori Tigges; great grandsons Daniel and Liam Ennis; cousin Carolyn (Ford) Pennington; and too many beloved friends, neighbors, and “little swimmers” to list. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Anchor of Hope Hospice, 973 Keystone Way N, Carmel, IN 46032. 

The family is planning a celebration of life for Charlene to be held at her home after the holidays.