Born Oct. 9, 1944 in Carnegie, Oklahoma, Mary was one of ten children. When her mother passed away in 1956, Mary stepped into her role and helped take care of her siblings. She met Leon Shelton and the two got married in 1961. They moved to Texas, had a family, and set about making a home where everyone was welcome. For decades, Mary made sure everyone who came under her roof was loved. She made a friend of everyone she met, and she never let anyone leave her house hungry.
She worked for and was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Groves, Texas for many years. In her roles, she served as a leader in faith formation for the church, passing on powerful moral principles and a passion for serving God. Her example shone for everyone around her, strengthening their faith.
Let it be said she also loved her family with all her heart. She was a devoted wife to Leon for almost 60 years. She always had time for her family, whether it was cooking a breakfast feast for all four children and, eventually, their extended families, or coaching and then attending games for all sorts of sports, or babysitting and picking many, many grandchildren up from school each afternoon. She was a constant presence in every member of her family’s life, ready to lend a helping hand in any way she could.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents Monroe and Lula Hill, her siblings James Orville White, Lois Williams, Mildred Gogish, Billie Chambrone, Ruby Moore, J.W. Hill, Betty Good, and Jo Rita Black, her husband Leon, her son-in-law Michael Coleman, and her daughter-in-law Lauren Shelton.
Mary is survived by her children: Leon “Skipper” Shelton Jr., LaVonna "Tina" Coleman, Mathilda "Marti" Lynch and husband Rodney, and Andrea "Andi" Gregory and husband James. Bonus daughters Tessy Grillo and Becky Caveratta and bonus son Phil Caveratta. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, David Coleman (Kristen Vogel), Kristen Herman (Jason), Lucas Shelton, Jacob Lynch (Phoebe), Jordan Lynch Fountain (Phil), Alyssa Gregory Ogrydziak (Sumner), Noah Gregory (Taylor), Emily Gregory, and her great-grandchildren, Michael, Hadleigh, Jude, Nora, Ransom, and Bonnie. Survivors also include her brother, Allin Hill; a nephew, Donald Tillman, and a host of other nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Pallbearers, David Coleman, Lucas Shelton, Jacob Lynch, Noah Gregory, Phil Fountain, Sumner Ogrydziak. Honorary Pallbearers Jason Herman, Jude Lynch and Michael Coleman III.
