Boone Shelton

Ripley, Mississippi---Mr. Boone Shelton 79, passed away March 27, 2010 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS: Boone was born November 9, 1930 in Chalybeate, MS to Lytle Boone and Lucy Wood Shelton. He graduated from Ripley High School in 1947 and MS College in Clinton in 1951 with degrees in English and Bible. He enlisted in the Korean War immediately upon graduation from college. After basic training he was assigned to the Army Security Agency in Fort Devon, MA and upon completion spent two years with Field Station 8611 in Baumholder, Germany. Boone was a Morse code receiver and continued to keep in touch with some of his Army friends. When he returned to the US, Boone enrolled as a graduate student at the University of MS to study journalism and photography. He worked for the Commercial Appeal and Jackson Daily News. He began his teaching career in 1958 at Copiah Lincoln Junior College where he stayed until 1963. As well as teaching English, he served as Assistant Dean of Men and Publicity Director of the school. From 1964 to 1976, he taught at Walnut High School, where he sponsored school plays, class trips and graduations and delighted in the success of his students. He was elected Tippah County Chancery Clerk in 1975 and retired in January 1, 1988. At the time of his death, Boone was serving as a Tippah County Election Commissioner and was on the Board of the Shady Grove Water System. Boone was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. He loved to grow vegetables and watermelons and enjoyed sharing them with friends and neighbors. He was involved in genealogy and studied the Civil War. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Mr. Shelton was a member of the West Ripley Baptist Church, where he was a previous Sunday School teacher. He had a fine singing voice and sang solo at many weddings. He led singing at Walnut and Shady Grove Baptist Churches. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eloise Norris Shelton, son David (Missy) Shelton of Ripley, daughter Emily (Paul) Holliday of Scottsdale, Arizona, two granddaughters: Mary Beth (Kris) Chenault of Hayden AL and Anna Shelton of Ripley, MS: Two sisters, Sarah Griffin of Fairfax, VA: and Lola (Tubby) Bradley of Fincastle, VA: Sisters-in-law Ruby Jean Shelton, Rose Ann Shelton and Virginia Reneau, and brothers-in-law Bill (Margaret) Norris and Joe (Rosa Nell) Norris. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law Virginia Rose and Herman Smith, and brothers Charles Shelton and William (Billy) Wood Shelton. Pallbearers will be his nephews: Mark Huddleston, Steven Reneau, David Smith, Mike Smith, Joey Norris, Jonathan Huddleston: Honorary pallbearers will be: Current Tippah County Election Commissioners: Former Commissioners James E. Huddleston, S.A. Tapp, Roy Hodges, John Jumper, Shady Grove Water Association Board: And all of Mr. Shelton's former students will be honored guests: In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the West Ripley Baptist Church, 773 West Cooper St. Ripley, MS. or the charity of your choice. To send flowers to the family of Boone Shelton, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Boone Shelton

November 9, 1930 - March 27, 2010