Ruth Shelton, 87, of College Station, TX passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019. She was born on July 13, 1931, in Lyles, TN to Jimmy Lee and Bessie Worley Tarkington.

Ruth was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Raised in Hickman County, Tennessee, Ruth enjoyed sports and was a star athlete on the Centerville High School basketball team. After graduation, she married Bill Shelton. They moved to California where he was stationed in the Navy. After serving, he became a minister for the Church of Christ. They began growing their family and were very active serving others in churches from Las Vegas to Raleigh, NC. They settled in McKinney, Texas in 1966 with three young boys and began working with the church, school, and local community.

Their marriage dissolved a few years later, but with the help of her church family, friends, and her strong work ethic, Ruth raised three strong Christian boys. All three of Ruth’s sons shared her love of sports and she always encouraged them to play. Ruth even found a way to watch all three play on different fields at the same time by sitting on the corner of the Little League bleachers with each son in view.

Serving her family was her joy and service to others was always a part of Ruth’s occupations. She was an active member of High Pointe Church of Christ for 46 years. Being a minister’s wife meant inviting people into her home and serving delicious meals which often included her famous chocolate pie. Ruth was especially fond of the elderly and those who lived alone. In McKinney, she was the social work director at Collin Memorial Hospital. Ruth was an excellent listener and leaves a legacy of sound counsel in every place she lived. Later, she was the agent for Trailways Greyhound Lines. Along with keeping her books in order, she also kept her station stocked with food for weary travelers. Ruth knew Got put her there and it was her mission to reach out to those in need. Ruth moved from McKinney and lived near her son, John, a basketball coach, and his family for the past fifteen years where she continued serving others by sharing her boundless love with her neighbors and John’s players. Her favorite times were following his basketball teams and cheering from the stands. Ruth never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Bessie Tarkington; siblings, Ruby Thames, Bea Adams, R.W., Bob, and Charlie Tarkington; and her son, Tony Shelton. She is survived by her beloved family to include her sons, Paul Shelton and wife, Sherrie of Black Springs, Arkansas, and John Shelton and wife, Dede of College Station; daughter-in-law, Cary Shelton-Patchell of Reno, NV; grandchildren, Blair (Vanessa), Cory (Elizabeth), Jaime Holthaus (Logan), Shelby, Chelsea Qualls (Justin), Mitchell, and Andrew; great-grandchildren, Christian Qualls and Jude Holthaus; siblings, Tom, Brenda, Larry, and Billy; special nieces, Ann, Amy, Delores, and Sheila; along with a host of extended family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:00 PM on Saturday, July 13th with the Celebration of Life to follow at 3 PM at McDonald Funeral Home in Centerville, Tennessee.