Loved sewing, quilting, crocheting, canning, growing flowers Hazel Shelton began her earthly walk with her parents Robert Lee Rippee and Nora (Medlock) Rippee on Thursday July 27, 1922 at Chaney, Mo. She started her heavenly walk with God on Friday March 6, 2009 at Maranatha Village in Springfield, Mo., with her children at her bedside.
Hazel was raised on Bryant Creek east of Ava where she attended school at East Dogwood School. She married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence Clovis Shelton, on Oct. 1, 1938. This union would be blessed with 12 children.
Hazel was a housewife and mother. She loved sewing, quilting, crocheting, canning and growing flowers. She loved to read whenever she had time. She rededicated her life to Christ in the 1970s and loved to go to church with her husband.
Hazel will be remembered for her homemade rolls, and cornbread dressing, her quilts, crocheted doilies, love of flowers and watching birds.
Hazel is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Lawrence Clovis Shelton, her parents, Robert Lee and Nora Rippee, one brother, Eldon Eugene, and one daughter, Alice Yvonne Ridenour.
She is survived by 11 children: Norma Jewell Heard, Bakersfield Calif., Juanita Lucille Cline, Springfield, Mo., Lovella Kay Tittle, Ava, Cathrine Joann Davis and Coretta Marie Shelton, Nixa, Mo., Doyle Wayne and Billy Lee, both of Ava, Zora Colleen Roberts, Willard, Mo., Delmer Lynn, Big Piney, Wyo., Tamara Lenae Hinrichs and Ronald Shelton, of Ava.
Hazel will also be missed by 36 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; 44 great-great-grandchildren; as well as countless other family members and friends.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday March 11, with the Rev. Robert Grisham officiating. Burial followed at the Whites Creek Cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 10, in the Ava Family Funeral Home. All arrangements were under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Whites Creek Cemetery in honor of Hazel.
