Dwight Shelton

Dwight O. Shelton, age 89, 702 Ninth Street, Erwin, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 in the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a native of Unicoi County and a son of the late Boney Z. and Carrie Sparks Shelton. Mr. Shelton was a U. S. Army Veteran of WWII serving in Rhineland; Central Europe and was a recipient of the Purple Heart; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze stars; Good Conduct Medal; Victory Medal; Distinguished Unit Badge with one Bronze Star; Silver Star Medal; Rifle Expert Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; and Parachute Medal. He was a member of Flag Pond Masonic Lodge #408 F&AM; the Jericho Shrine Temple; the Scottish Rite and a 32 degree mason. Mr. Shelton served as a Unicoi County Commissioner for several years; had served on the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Board and on the Unicoi County Highway Department Committee. Mr. Shelton had worked for the Monsanto Chemical Company in Flint, Michigan for over twenty-five years. He retired from Nuclear Fuel Services in 1987 after nineteen years of service. Mr. Shelton was a member of the Sweetwater Church of God. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Clay Shelton, Albert Shelton, and Glenn Shelton; two half brothers, Alvin Hensley and Leonard Rice; one grandson, Richard Farmer; one step-daughter, Sherry Tilson. Mr. Shelton leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of thirty-six years, Jessie Lloyd Shelton; three sons, David Shelton and wife, Genevieve of Erwin; Mike Shelton and Donald Shelton, both of Erwin; two daughters, Loretta Cooper and husband, David of Georgia and Judy Shelton of Erwin; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews including a special nephew, James Rice and special niece, Kay Hardin; two step-daughters, Diann Hensley and husband, Gerald; and Debbie Christian and husband, Wade; one step-son, Claude Shelton, Jr. and wife, Diane; step son-in-law, Jim Tilson; nine step-grandchildren and sixteen step-great grandchildren. The family of Dwight O. Shelton will receive friends from 6:00 P. M. to 8:00 P. M. Monday, January 12, 2015, from the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P. M. Tuesday from the Sweetwater Church of God with Reverend Craig Shelton officiating. Music will be provided by members of the church. The Men's Sunday School Class of Sweetwater Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Nephews will serve as active pallbearers. Masonic rites will be rendered with Doug Clark presiding. Committal service with Military honors will follow in the Boney Z. Shelton Cemetery, Flag Pond. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family through our complimentary, interactive Book of Memories at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Shelton family. (423) 743-1380.