Judith Dianne Shelton

Judith was born to her parents (Martha Buck & Alton Willis) in Columbus, Georgia on July 20, 1938. She returned to St. Petersburg, Florida with her parents in her infancy and grew up there with her younger sister, Bettie. Judy (as she was known to by friends & family) graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1956. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator for GTE. On Friday, January 13, 1961, Judy married Thomas Jefferson Shelton, Jr., (a native of St. Petersburg) whom she met on a blind date by a mutual friend. In June 1964 they moved with their two (2) oldest children to Safety Harbor, Florida – where they resided together until Thomas’ death in 2015. At that time, Judy moved to On Top of The World in Clearwater, Florida and resided there for almost 7 years, prior to locating to The Colonnade at Beckett Lake.

When Judy’s children were all young, she worked as a Teacher Assistant, and later in the office of Safety Harbor Elementary School – so that she would have the summers off with her kids. After which she worked for a few years at the S & H Green Stamp store in Dunedin. Later Judy worked as a customer service representative at Home Shopping Network and retired from there in 2000.

Over the years, Judy volunteered with various organizations. In the early years, she assisted with the “Clothes Closet” at the First Presbyterian Church of Safety Harbor. Her daughter, Traci, would volunteer with her. Later she volunteered at the Hospice Thrift Stores in Clearwater, as well as wrapping Christmas presents at Countryside Mall. That one Judy had her (then teenage) granddaughter, Emily, there assisting – she had taught her the art of being a great gift wrapper. Judy and Thomas would also often help with various local organizations at Christmas – purchasing presents for kids, as well as provide some essentials and special gifts for the elderly.

In addition to volunteering, Judy loved being out in her front yard amongst her bird baths and other yard decorations taking care of her beautiful flowers and plants as she listened to her windchimes.

Judy was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Shelton and her two (2) grandsons, Ryan Mitchell and Stephen Smith.

She was survived by her three (3) children: Stephen Shelton; Traci Zimmerman and Todd Shelton, as well as her grandchildren: Emily Mitchell; Susan Smith, Taylor Bay; Daniel Makhlouf and Thomas Shelton. She was survived by her sister Bettie Cederquist. Judy also was blessed with great-grandchildren: Arliyah Arline; Mariyah Arline; Amiyah Arline; Amal Makhlouf and Madison Payne.

Judy will be put to rest during a graveside service at Sylvan Abbey Cemetery at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Judy in lieu of flowers, the family recommends Empath Health - Hospice Care in Clearwater, Florida.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit Sylvan Abbey Funeral Homes website at: