Jeanette "J.J." Shelton

A Memorial Service for Jeanette “JJ” Shelton, 79 of Jefferson, Texas will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024, in the Fellowship Hall of Pope City Baptist Church at 1:00 pm with Dr. Robert Prothro and Bro. Craig Evers officiating.

JJ was born on January 24, 1945, in Orange, Texas to Carl Severt Swendson and Jannie Marie Williams and passed away on March 20, 2024, in Longview, Texas.  JJ had a wonderful, blessed life.

After graduating from Marshall High School in 1963, she attended Continental Commercial College in Lufkin Texas where she received her business diploma. Her work career spans decades as a dedicated Legal Secretary for Thompson and Knight Law Firm. After her retirement she and Jim moved to Swendson Rd to be close to family.

She and Jim enjoyed traveling, she loved playing bridge and was in a bridge group where she made life-long friends for over 50 years. After moving to her beloved East Texas, she was active in a duplicate bridge club in Longview where she made new friends. Her shopping experiences were always an adventure (sister says Amen to that!). Shopping was another passion JJ enjoyed and she was very good at it.

JJ had great faith and knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior from an early age. She attended Pope City Baptist Church in her younger years where she accepted Jesus into her life, professing her faith by being baptized in Cawood pond. While living in Houston she and Jim were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church. After moving to Marshall, she attended Trinity Episcopal Church where she was a member of Daughters of the King.

Her girls, Madelyn and Brooklyn were her number one love and joy, who affectionately named her JJ.

Mrs. Shelton is preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Shelton, Sr., and her parents. Those left to cherish her memories are her son, Rich Shelton and wife Michelle; Sisters, Janie Berry and husband Max, Debbie Swendson; grandchildren, Madelyn and Brooklyn Shelton; niece, Becky Berry and her furry friend Texie. She is also survived by numerous other extended family and friends.

We would like to extend our heartfelt love and thanks to JJ’s caregivers, Joan Moore, Georgia Boyd, Kent Boyd, Darlene Boren, Janet Key, and Mattie Dillard.

Memorials may be made to Pope Cemetery Association, or Pope City Baptist Church at 741 Swendson Rd Jefferson, TX. 75657, or the charity of your choice.  

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