Ressa Shelton (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Ressa Naomi Shelton, daughter of Delmar B. and Floy A. Pearson Russell, was born October 2, 1928, near Russellville, Arkansas. She departed this life Wednesday, January 29, 2014, in Christian Health and Rehabilitation Center South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, three months, and twenty-seven days.
On September 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to Andrew Z. Shelton, and to this union one son and one daughter were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andy, on June 18, 1972; four brothers, Amos, George, Fred, and Clyde; and four sisters, Bernice, Geroma, Ilene, and Wilma.
Ressa is survived by a son, Albert Shelton, and his wife, Carie, of Battlefield, Missouri; a daughter, Lori Miller, and her husband, Kirk, of St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren, Mitchell, Madison, Amy, Alyssa, and J.T.; four great-grandchildren, Emmett, Avalynn, Griffin, and Jackson; a brother, Kenneth Russell, of the State of Idaho; two sisters, Ellen Mills, of Sikeston, Missouri, and Margaret Mallett, of the State of Illinois; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised on a cotton farm in the Sikeston, Missouri area. After she and Andy were married, they made their home in Lebanon, Missouri, and lovingly raised their children. Ressa was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family and also helped her husband in the operation of their clothing store in Lebanon, Shelton’s Smart Shop. Later, she worked as a teacher for the Lebanon Head Start program for twenty-five years.
Ressa was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lebanon.
She lived a very private and quiet life and enjoyed politics and current events. She was always steadfast in her convictions and opinions. She also greatly enjoyed decorating for the holidays. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ressa was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them over the years.
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