Lois Ophelia James Shelton

Abingdon, VA Lois Ophelia James Shelton, age 82, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Southwest Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston, TX. On May 5, 1932, a baby girl was born to the late Rufus and Bertha James. She was their seventh child, and they named her Lois Ophelia. She attended Douglas High School and acquired certification as a nursing assistant in 1960. Lois served as a nursing assistant for many years until her retirement from Johnston Memorial Hospital. Lois was married to a loving and devoted husband, the late Rev. John Wesley Shelton, Jr. She was a Christian and a member of Valley Street Baptist Church. Lois had spent the last three years living near her son in Houston, TX. In addition to her parents and husband, Lois is preceded in death by three sisters and five brothers. She leaves behind to cherish her memory one son, Andre Joel Howard and wife Nellie of Houston, TX; two daughters, Johnice Knight and husband Dwayne of Abingdon, VA, and Onita Smith of Delaware; sister, Violet C. Thomas of Fort Wayne, IN; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, and family. A home-going service will be held at 2:00 p.m. March 7, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Willie Austin officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Albert Arnold, Milton Suggs, Jr., and family and friends serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Howard, Marcus Knight, Chance Howard, Johnathan Knight, Joshua Knight, and Matthew Knight. Visitation with the family will be held Saturday from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home just prior to the service. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family of Mrs. Shelton is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.