Jean Nelson Shelton, who was born Gloria Jean Nelson on September 6, 1942 in Newport News, Virginia to Robert L. Nelson and Novella Pearson Nelson, passed away on January 6, 2026, at the age of 83.
She graduated from Huntington High School in Newport News in 1961. She married Leon Armistead Shelton, Sr on December 22, 1962. While a student at Fisk University in the 1960's she took part in protests to end segregation. She was passionate about justice. Jean received her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1984, with a focus on paralegal studies. She spent her free time creating through sewing and knitting. Her knitted creations were so good, they looked like they were made on a knitting machine.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Jon Michael Shelton, and grandson David William Shelton.
She is survived by her brother, Philip N. Nelson; sister, Lisa R. Nelson; her remaining children, Nomine Christi Harris and husband Michael, Leon Shelton, Jr. and wife Joy, Kevin Shelton and wife Lynette, Karen Purgason and husband David; grandchildren, Sheila Shelton, Ashley Fry and husband Jamie, Kristyn Shelton, Amber Burgess and husband Jaron, Alex Shelton, Kelly Stine and husband Grant, Andrew Harris, Christopher Harris, Laurie Shelton, Kathy Shelton, Isobel Harris, Kevin M. Shelton, Sara Gill and husband Aaron, Michael Purgason, and Sophia Purgason; 16 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and two nephews, Khalil Nelson and Jamil Nelson.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/jean-nelson-shelton.