Rita M. Shelton

           Mrs. Rita M. Shelton, age 76, of Puryear, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at the Murray – Calloway County Hospital.

            Mrs. Shelton was born in Henry County, Tennessee on August 7, 1946, to the late Travis “Jim” Merrell and Cecil (Wilson) Merrell. Mrs. Shelton retired from Murray State University after 31 years, serving as a secretary in the Business Administration Department. She was a member of the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Henry County, Tennessee.

            In addition to her parents, Mrs. Shelton was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Phillip Nored.

            Mrs. Shelton is survived by her husband, Kenneth Shelton of Puryear, Tennessee, to whom she married on August 30, 1974, in Stewart County, Tennessee; one son, Heath Shelton and wife Ronda of Hazel, Kentucky; one sister, Carolyn Nored of Paris, Tennessee; as well as four grandchildren, Austen Shelton and wife Chloe of Nashville, Tennessee, Jesse Walker – Shelton, Wyatt Shelton, and Sydney Shelton all of Hazel, Kentucky.

            A funeral service for Mrs. Rita Shelton will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services.  Bro. Jordan Roach and Bro. Jimmy Stairs will officiate, and burial will follow in the Murray Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

            Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Shady Grove Cemetery Fund, % Carolyn Nored, 975 Jim Merrill Road, Paris, Tennessee 38242

            Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com