Bernell Morton Shelton

Mrs. Shelton was born on August 5, 1940, in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, daughter of the late William Eugene Morton and Mary Bobbitt Morton. She was a member of Shell Point Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Jeffrey Fred Shelton; son, Jeffrey Keith Shelton; sisters, Barbara Morton and Ruth Donithan; and brothers, Jack Morton and Ray Morton.

Mrs. Shelton’s life was a beautiful testimony of the love she found in Christ. She loved the Lord without restraint and told everyone she knew that her joy came from Him. He alone was her hope in life and death. She demonstrated her faith in the way she cared for everyone and everything around her. She was a mother and a grandmother to all, a friend to everyone she talked to (and she talked to everyone), a caretaker to every animal who wandered her way (dogs, cats, deer, birds, and racoons), and a life giver even to dead, withered plants.

Above all else on earth, Bernell loved her family. Nothing made her happier than seeing her family gathered together, laughing around the table and telling stories of the past. She was the matriarch and heart of the family, holding it together when things came undone. Her love never failed.

Bernell was never without a song. She especially loved the old hymns, Southern Gospel, and kids songs. The day started with her early morning wake up calls and she didn’t stop singing until she was fast asleep. She sang in the car, sang while she worked, sang to her pets, and sang in the choir. Even as her body began to fail, her voice grew stronger. Music strengthened her soul until the day she left us to sing a new song with Jesus.

Though she will be deeply missed, we rejoice that she is now in the presence of the Savior she loved so dearly. We will cherish her memory and look forward to the day when we will see her again. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.”

Bernell is survived by her children, Cindy Millikan and husband Dale of Shallotte, North Carolina; Tony Shelton and wife Lisa of King, North Carolina; and son Gregory Shelton of Shallotte, North Carolina; grandchildren Terri Covil (Patrick), Misty Yeager (Daniel), Lee Millikan (Mina), Ashley Shelton, Amanda Patterson (Matt), Allison Shelton, Zachary Garcia, Megan Bowman (Travis), Kimber Shelton, Jessica Shelton, Caitlin Key, Christopher Key, Amanda Winfrey, Cameron Winfrey, Maria Castilho and Murilo Castilho; great grandchildren, Melissa Melendres, Chloe Covil, Elijah Covil, Samuel Patterson, Jayden Manns, Logan Brown, Laurel Bowman, Lola Jane Bowman, Liza Kate Bowman, Leo Bowman, Kora Shelton, Sora Shelton, Harlyn Shelton Frost, Jecht Shelton Frost, Andrew Castilho, Gabriella Dos Santos, and one great-great granddaughter Zoe Jade Boswell. The family would like to thank a special friend and caregiver, Mariana DiGiulio.

A memorial service will be held at four o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Shell Point Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Mission Fund at Shell Point Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte Chapel