Dorothy F. Shelton

Dorothy Fresenius Shelton, 101, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022. She was born March 6, 1920, at her grandparents home in San Antonio during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. She graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1937, the University of San Antonio (now Trinity University) in 1940, and did post-graduate study at the University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Shelton was a gifted pianist, organist, oboist, and singer who performed throughout the community and as an organist for the Highland Park Presbyterian Church. One of her most prized possessions was her Hertzberg Medal for Piano earned in 1932 from the Tuesday Musical Club. Understanding the financial challenges of pursuing a career in music and acceding to the generational expectations of educated young ladies, Mrs. Shelton became a teacher of one of her passions, science. Like many in her generation, the United States entry into World War II inspired her desire to support the war effort by working for the Federal Government. Following the war, Mrs. Shelton attended St. Marys University School of Law where she met her future husband, Horace Preston Shelton, Jr. They were married on December 29, 1948 at St. Marks Episcopal Church in San Antonio. While her greatest regret was not completing law school, Mrs. Shelton proceeded to impact the world of science for 32 years through her research in virology at the U.S. Army Medical Laboratory at Fort Sam Houston. She received numerous civilian awards for her work in the field of bat rabies research including the Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service from the Department of the Army. Mrs. Shelton also was the coauthor of several scientific papers on rabies and influenza.

While balancing career and family responsibilities, Mrs. Shelton played the organ in the Bethlehem Chapel for several years at St. Marks for the confirmation class service. She was also an accomplished seamstress who made clothing and costumes for her children and grandchildren. In 1975, the couple retired and moved to Franklin, Tennessee. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Shelton obtained her Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 1982. She spent many years volunteering her time to political campaigns and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and was able enjoy her love of sewing and travel. Mrs. Shelton was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years in 2003 and in 2008 she returned to San Antonio to be close to family. She was a member of the Tuesday Musical Club and the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary.

Mrs. Shelton is survived by her son, Preston Fresenius Shelton; daughter, Elizabeth (Buffy) Shelton Smolens (Peter); grandson, James Edward Montgomery III (Jenny); granddaughter, Anne Shelton Ivy (Michael), all of San Antonio. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Wyatt Montague Montgomery of Houston; Matthew Dean Ivy, Blake Edward Ivy, Elizabeth Rose Montgomery, and Charlotte Adele Montgomery of San Antonio.

A private memorial service is scheduled for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Marks Episcopal Church (https://www.stmarks-sa.org/give/), The Tuesday Musical Club (https://satmc.org/donations), The Animal Defense League (https://adltexas.org/donate/), or the San Antonio Symphony (https://sasymphony.org/individual-giving/).