Pocahontas- Mary Louise Shelton fought a good fight and finished the course secure in her faith. Surrounded by family and friends, she gained her heavenly reward on October 4, 2018, reuniting with her husband of 69 years.

Mary Lou, lovingly known to the many that loved and adored her as Mama Mary Lou, was born on December 12, 1924 and lived a blessed 93 years of life. The only remaining sibling, she was born seventh of nine children to Charles Henry and Decia Andrews on a farm in the Flatlands of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

On April 16, 1943, Mary Lou\u0027s life changed forever when she married an O\u0027Kean boy and she became Mrs. Melvin Lee Shelton. When her husband was called to preach in 1949, Mary Lou became the perfect preacher\u0027s wife. She spent the next 63 years following brother Melvin from church to church, polishing Melvin\u0027s shoes and pressing his suits, cooking meals, opening up her home to church members, and singing a million specials, in particular, "Consider The Lilies," and showing everyone around her the love she had for God and for her family.

Mary Lou gained another title in November of 1944 when she became the mother of a beautiful baby girl, Debra Louise. Mary Lou excelled in her role as a mother, teaching Debra everything there is to know about making a warm and loving home. She passed down her love of singing, her ironing skills, and her talent of making the perfect pot of chicken and dumplings.

It was in July of 1961 when Mary Lou became known as Mama Mary Lou. Her firstborn granddaughter, best friend and later in life caretaker, Pam, her twins, the girls that could always make her cut up and laugh, Kathy and Kelley, and her baby, Shelly, the one that could get away with anything, were her pride and joy. She spent countless hours on and with them, sewing and piecing together beautiful dresses, taking them to church, and teaching the art of blowing soot out of a car. "My girls," as she affectionately called them, were by her side when she entered Heaven\u0027s gates, a sad yet beautiful moment.

Mama Mary Lou was blessed again in 1980 when she became a great grandma. Her great grandchildren became her favorite topic of discussion, often bragging about each one\u0027s achievements, talents and successes. Kristen, John Allen, Justin, Lacey, Tyler, Tanner, and Bo were the light in her beautiful eyes, as were her great-great grandchildren, Chase, Chet, Presley, and Major.

When her husband, Melvin, passed away in 2012, a large piece of Mary Lou went with him. She continued sewing and doing alterations for her family and many friends. No one could hem a pair of pants like Mary Lou. She kept her 7am routine of catching up on all the town happenings at McDonalds, and she remained a dedicated servant of the Lord. When she decided it was time, she moved into an assisted living and then became a resident of Randolph County Nursing Home, where she spent the last moments of her life, making new friends and receiving many visits from her family.

On the morning of October 4, 2018, Mary Lou told her daughter that "tonight I will be spending the night with Melvin." at 6:20pm, with her girls by her side, holding her hand, Mary Lou was with her Melvin. There is no doubt there was a beautiful reunion. A beautiful reunion that was short lived. After all, she had some shoes to shine and suits to press.

Mary Louise Shelton was proceeded in death by her husband of 69 years, Melvin.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vance and Debra Hudson of O\u0027Kean; granddaughters and grandson-in-law, John and Pam French of O\u0027Kean, Kathy Hudson of Jonesboro, Kelley Goodson of Jonesboro and Shelly Ringo of Pocahontas. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Kristen Orick (Clifton), John Allen French, Justin Goodson, Lacey Harris (Aaron), Tyler Ringo, Bo French and Tanner Ringo; and great-great grandchildren, Chase and Chet Orick, Presley French and Major Harris.

Visitation will be Monday, October 8, 2018 from 12-2 pm at McNabb Funeral Home with a funeral immediately following at 2 pm with Gene Cullum officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Gardens.

Her great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons are honored to serve their Mama Mary Lou as pallbearers.