Barbara Jean Shelton

Barbara Jean Shelton, 82, of Mt. Summit passed away October 18 following a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born on February 12, 1936 to Marshall W. and Thelma P. Lambert Johnson in Knoxville Tennessee. Barbara spent her early days on the family farm near Harrogate Tennessee and attended Ellen Myers Elementary school.  The family moved to Scott County Indiana in May 1949.  Barbara soon met Gerald "Bud" Shelton who lived on a neighboring farm.  Barbara attended Scottsburg High School and graduated as class salutatorian in May 1953. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, majoring in English and classical languages and later earned a Masters degree in library science from Ball State University.  Barbara began her career in education in January 1957 at Mooreland High School.  She married Bud Shelton at Scaffold Lick Baptist church in Blocher Indiana on February 2, 1957.  Daughter Lisa was born in October 1958 and daughter Kathy was born in December 1959.  In 1962 Barbara, Bud and girls moved to Modoc Indiana and Union High School.  Son Tom was born in September 1965.  Bud and Barbara soon moved to Mt. Summit where they have lived ever since.  Barbara taught reading at Blue River Valley and organized the libraries at the Mt. Summit and Mooreland elementary schools.  In 1972 Barbara became the head librarian at Shenandoah High School and served there until retiring in 1995.  Barbara was a member of the Indiana School Librarians Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, selected books for Ronald McDonald House charities, and sponsored SHS library club and senior class.  Barbara was a member of the Mt. Summit Christian Church and a former deaconess, librarian, Sunday school teacher and board president there.  Barbara will be remembered by friends and loved ones for her devotion to God and to the family she adored.  She filled her life with love, hard work and service to others.  Barbara is survived by Bud, her husband of 61 years, daughter Lisa Green (Ron) of Middletown, daughter Kathy McGriff of Franklin, son Marshall Thomas (Lonna) of Avon, granddaughter Susan Green Dunn (Jeremy) of Indianapolis, granddaughter Jessica Green Slabaugh (Tim) of Fishers, grandson Daniel McGriff of Franklin, grandson Austin Shelton of Indianapolis, granddaughters Stacie and Brooke Shelton of Avon and great-grandson Jacob Dunn of Indianapolis.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Michael Lee Green.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Summit Christian Church (508 S. Walnut St., Mt. Summit 47362), Blue River Valley Dollars for Scholars or the Shenandoah Scholarship Foundation.

Services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the Middletown Church of the Nazarene, 698 North 5th, Middletown,  with Ben French, Marty Ballard and Ben Brandt officiating.  Burial will follow in Miller Cemetery, Middletown.

Friends may call on Tuesday at the church from 3-7 PM and one hour before the services on Wednesday.

Online Guestbook at: www.ballardandsons.com