Dorothy Shelton

Dorothy Jean (Stewart) Shelton, 91, of Savannah, departed this life on Monday, February 2. She was born on Wednesday, September 5, 1934, in Crump, Tennessee. She was the second daughter born to Johnny Whitfield Stewart and Hester Lucille (Ganus) Stewart.
On August 29th, 1957, Dorothy was united in marriage to James Vasser Shelton of Millport, Alabama. Their union yielded one son James Kenneth Shelton who survives.
Dorothy and James lived in Crump, Tennessee, the majority of their thirty-two plus years together. They were both very committed and active in their religious affiliations and had helped to establish and support churches in Kansas City, Missouri, as well as growing churches in Savannah and Saltillo, Tennessee, during the early years of their marriage. Dorothy had grown up in the Crump Pentecostal Church and returned to attending there during her later years. She loved the Lord and had read the Bible completely through more than thirty times.
Over the span of her life Dorothy had taught Sunday school, worked as a babysitter and usher for members of the Blackwood Brothers quartet, as a salesperson for various stores, a seamstress for various local clothing factories, and as a member of the environmental services staff at the Hardin County General Hospital. She also volunteered as the writer of the Crump community news for a while.
Dorothy was a natural care giver and served as a dependable babysitter for the children in the family, as well as the personal caregiver for elderly relatives over the years. She had a bottomless tender heart. She was always available with open arms, a soft shoulder, an open ear and kind words of encouragement. And she would never stop praying for you. Over time she became the accepted family historian and together with her sister, Mary Ellen, spent endless hours researching and compiling the family’s histories. In life she matured into the beloved matriarch of her family known affectionately to nieces, nephews, relatives, close friends, and acquaintances as “Aunt Jean,” “Momma Jean,” or “Granny Jean.” She enjoyed collecting and singing hymns, fishing, cooking, word puzzles, reading and visiting with family and friends (especially over a plate of fried catfish with all the side trimmings.) We all loved her and she showed her love for all of us. A host of people will deeply miss her.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband James Vasser Shelton (a veteran of WWI); her father John W. Stewart and her mother Hester L. (Ganus) Stewart; sister Annie K. (Stewart) Eliff; sister Mary E. Stewart; sister Janie Sue Stewart (died in infancy); brother Gilbert Joe Stewart; brother Max Stewart and brother Billy Stewart; as well as all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws; and two nephews.
She is survived by her son James K. Shelton and wife Lori S. (Leitschuh) Shelton of Adamsville; a granddaughter, Shiloh B. Shelton of Windermere, Florida; sister Roberta (Stewart) Zehm of Rogers, Arkansas; brother, Johnny Milo Stewart and wife Charlotte (Holland) Stewart of Crump; as well as a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, distant relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, February 7, at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, with Gene Hanna and Monty Dickey officiating. Burial followed at Crump Cemetery in Crump.