Helen Virginia Wright Shelton Kirtley

Mrs. Helen Shelton Kirtley of Johnson City joined the Lord in eternal life and joy on Monday, June 4, 2012. She has been a resident of NHC HealthCare in Johnson City for the past three years. Helen was born the daughter of Rev. Leslie Thomas Wright and Eva Mae Brock Wright in Eminence, Kentucky, July 22, 1917. Raised in Jeffersontown, Kentucky where her father was pastor, she went on to college at Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky. After graduating in 1937 she married her college sweetheart, R.G. Shelton. When R.G. followed his father and brother in the ministry in 1945, Helen began teaching school and raising Tom, Marilyn and Janice. She was a full partner in ministry with R.G. She taught Sunday bible study for over fifty years, led woman in ministry opportunities, played the piano, organ and sang in choirs. Helens engaging and fun-loving personality made her a perfect hostess for many events and meals. She was a fantastic cook who would create or make anything for anyone anytime. After 50 years of marriage and partnership with R. G., Helen moved to Campbellsville following his sudden death. Her sister, Mabelle, who lived there, introduced her to Homer R. Kirtley, whom she married in 1990. Homer and Helen served the Lord faithfully through Campbellsville Baptist Church, lived joyfully and laughed lots! Upon Homers death in 1999, Helen moved to Johnson City to live near her daughter, Janice. She has been active in Central Baptist Church; participating in the Homemakers Sunday School class, JOY Fellowship, the JOY choir and numerous ministry activities. As Helen has so often been described, she was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. and Mrs. L. T. Wright of Jeffersontown, KY, by her sister, Mrs. Mabelle Wright Bright, of Campbellsville, KY, by her husband, Rev. R. G. Shelton of Eddyville, KY, and husband, Homer R. Kirtley of Campbellsville, KY. Her surviving family includes her son, Rev. Thomas L. Shelton and wife Jo of Beaver Dam, KY, daughter, Marilyn S. Ladd and husband Alfred of Decatur, AL, daughter, Dr. Janice Shelton of Johnson City, TN. and Homers son, Dr. Louis Kirtley and wife Olivia of Louisville, KY and their family who have been a special extension of Helens family. She has four grandchildren; Mrs. Debbie Miller of St. Louis, MO, Mrs. Elaine Gill and husband Dr. Marlin Gill of Decatur, AL, Dr. Thomas D. Shelton and wife Gwen of Lexington, KY and Mrs. Laura Hays and husband Tim of, GA., and six great grandchildren, Katelyn and Ben Hays, Abby and Audrey Shelton and Austin and Grant Gill. The family would like to thank Anna Wood, Judy Smith, Rachel Stokes, Amy Otto and numerous CBC members who assisted Helen and visited often; also the staff, nurses and special CNAs of NHC. The funeral service for Mrs. Helen Shelton Kirtley will be conducted at 6 PM Monday, June 11, 2012, at Central Baptist Church, Johnson City. Dr. Ron Murray will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 PM Monday prior to the service. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 3 PM, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in the Rolling Hills Cemetery, Eddyville, Kentucky. Rev. Thomas L. Shelton and Rev. Ron England will officiate. Active pallbearers will be Dr.Tom Shelton, Dr. Marlin Gill, Tim Hays, Austin Gill and Grant Gill. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Homemakers Sunday School Class. Ministers, family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery by 2:50PM Tuesday. If you would prefer, memorial donations may be made to the Senior Adult Visitation Ministry of Central Baptist Church.