Mary Kathleen Shelton

Mary Kathleen Shelton was born on November 19, 1929 in Augusta, GA. At an early age, she and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. McGruder (both deceased), migrated to New York City for opportunity and eventually settled on Long Island, N.Y. She attended the Plandome Road Elementary School and the Manhasset Junior High School. After much discussion, her mother allowed her to attend Morris High School in the Bronx, with her close cousins. A lifelong servant of the Lord, Mary accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. In growing up, she was a loyal and dedicated member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Manhasset, New York, under the pastorate of Dr. James C. Brown and later, the Reverend Edward Corley. She taught Sunday School, sang in the Choir and belonged to several Ministries. On June 9, 1946, Mary married William James Stroud, Jr. (deceased and originally from Charlotte, N.C..). They made their home in Manhasset, N.Y. and this union bore four beautiful children: Lillian, Margaret, William and Caroline. Eventually divorced, following thirteen years as a divorcee, she met and married the "love of her life", Mr. Charles Pillsbury Shelton Jr, a native of Ashland, VA, on August 29, 1967. He was affectionately known as "Dad", "Sonny", "Grandpa" and "Pop" and preceded her in death on July 5, 2005. She and Charles became members of the Westbury Community Church in Westbury, NY., where Charles was one of the Founders. They served under Reverend Ganville Barnett and Reverend Victor Lewis. She was an extremely loyal and active member, where she served in the Women's Ministry, "Whrl" and spearheaded several fund raisers and special events. She was also a member of the Women's Auxiliary in support of Charles, who served as Commander and Chief of the American Legion Post 1861, for several terms. Most importantly they grew and worshiped together, for they believed that their "Help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth (Psalm 121:2) They had a blessed union, where if you saw one, you saw the other. Their life together included traveling, where many vacations were spent with Charles' sister, Virginia and brother-in-law, Alphonso. Being the loving and caring parents they were, even with Charles' failing health, they relocated from Westbury to Richmond in 2001, to help support the family business. She joined the Trinity Baptist church, where they both attended until declining health. During her journey in life, in recent years, Mary was presented the opportunity to be reunited with family originally from Aiken, S.C., the Hazels. She enjoyed a blessed relationship with them and regularly attended and enjoyed the annual family reunions. She grew particularly close to Lucille (deceased), Theresa, Pat and so many others. Mary had a long and impressive career, which began as a domestic worker. However, she soon realized Education would be the key, to ultimate success, so with the support of Charles, Mary obtained her GED and entered an LPN program at the Hospital of Joint Disease in New York City. She started out as a Nurse's Aide and found Nursing to be her passion. She then enrolled in the State University of Stony Brook and in 1975 completed and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Her Nursing career expanded over fifty years, where she worked in various hospitals, nursing homes, did private duty and retired as a Medicare Consultant with Travelers Insurance Company. When relocating to Richmond, she received her Virginia License to train employees for Medication Management Certification for the Family Group Homes and Day support. A lover of life, Mary truly loved God, her family and friends. To know Mary,was to love Mary. She was referred to as "A Rare Rose", by First Lady, Mary P. James, of our church, Trinity Baptist. Mary Kathleen was loving, supportive, loyal and strong. She was "The" role model for hard work, commitment, faith, family and success. Known as "Mommy", "Grandma" and "Aunt Kathleen" by devoted family members, she was also affectionately called "Sister" by her siblings, as she was the eldest of eleven children... Being the first born" made her a very responsible, "go to" person, who was devoted to "being there for her family. "Family" truly ,was her happiness and many relied on her. They knew they could look to her for help and she'd give it, to the best of her ability. She will be most remembered for her strength, faith, kindness, support and love. She endlessly gave of herself. She never said "no" to anyone and made it look easy...Even when it wasn't...She will be missed and never forgotten, as her legacy will live on through the lives she touched. She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Lillian Nlitchell (Herbert deceased), Margaret Nock (Clarence deceased), William Stroud (Vivian) and Caroline Moore (John), fourteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, five sisters, hvo brothers, five sister-inlaws, three Godchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Tributes

Mary Kathleen Shelton

November 19, 1929 - February 19, 2017