1927
Ophelia
2017
Ophelia Norsworthy Shelton
December 3, 1927 — March 17, 2017
Ophelia Norsworthy Byrd Shelton, 89, went peacefully to her heavenly home on March 17, 2017. She died at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Funeral services will be held 2 pm Monday, March 20, 2017 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS with interment to follow in Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be held 2-5 pm Sunday, March 19, 2017 and 1-2 pm Monday at the funeral home.
Ophelia was born in Jackson, MS on December 3, 1927. She was the second of nine children born to Lewis and Gladys Norsworthy. She grew up in Flowood and attended Brandon Schools. After graduation, she met and married Earl Byrd. She and Earl had three children. They owned and operated Byrd’s Garbage Service. Earl passed away in 1962 and she continued to operate the business they started together. In 1979, she married Joseph Shelton. She was a lifelong member of Drakes United Methodist Church. Ophelia was instrumental in the incorporation of the city of Pearl and served on the first Board of Alderman. In 2009 she was Grand Marshal of the Pearl Christmas parade. She was a member of Keep Pearl Beautiful. She was a volunteer at River Oaks Hospital for over 30 years. She was selected volunteer of the year in 2015. She was a wonderful wife and mother. She loved being surrounded by family and friends. One of her greatest joys was doing for others. She was loved by so many.
Ophelia is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Earl; her sisters, Ruby Tew and Betty Felts and her brother, Jimmy Norsworthy.
Ophelia is survived by her husband, Joseph Shelton; children, Pam (Gary) Broome of Pearl, Danny Byrd of Horn Lake and David (Donna) Byrd of Pearl; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bret) Dunnaway, Amanda Byrd and Nelson (Wendy) Byrd; great grandchildren, Charlie Dunnaway, Shelton, Mahaley and Ellis Byrd; sister, Mavis Duffy; brothers, Billy Norsworthy, Tommy (Shirley) Norsworthy, Larry (Linda) Norsworthy and Steve (Sandy) Norsworthy; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, very special friends, Beans and Betty Thompson.
The family would like to thank Hospice Ministries Home Care and CNAs, Barbara Caston and Veronica Colton and a very special thanks to best friend Betty Thompson. The family also request that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
Ophelia was born in Jackson, MS on December 3, 1927. She was the second of nine children born to Lewis and Gladys Norsworthy. She grew up in Flowood and attended Brandon Schools. After graduation, she met and married Earl Byrd. She and Earl had three children. They owned and operated Byrd’s Garbage Service. Earl passed away in 1962 and she continued to operate the business they started together. In 1979, she married Joseph Shelton. She was a lifelong member of Drakes United Methodist Church. Ophelia was instrumental in the incorporation of the city of Pearl and served on the first Board of Alderman. In 2009 she was Grand Marshal of the Pearl Christmas parade. She was a member of Keep Pearl Beautiful. She was a volunteer at River Oaks Hospital for over 30 years. She was selected volunteer of the year in 2015. She was a wonderful wife and mother. She loved being surrounded by family and friends. One of her greatest joys was doing for others. She was loved by so many.
Ophelia is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Earl; her sisters, Ruby Tew and Betty Felts and her brother, Jimmy Norsworthy.
Ophelia is survived by her husband, Joseph Shelton; children, Pam (Gary) Broome of Pearl, Danny Byrd of Horn Lake and David (Donna) Byrd of Pearl; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bret) Dunnaway, Amanda Byrd and Nelson (Wendy) Byrd; great grandchildren, Charlie Dunnaway, Shelton, Mahaley and Ellis Byrd; sister, Mavis Duffy; brothers, Billy Norsworthy, Tommy (Shirley) Norsworthy, Larry (Linda) Norsworthy and Steve (Sandy) Norsworthy; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, very special friends, Beans and Betty Thompson.
The family would like to thank Hospice Ministries Home Care and CNAs, Barbara Caston and Veronica Colton and a very special thanks to best friend Betty Thompson. The family also request that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
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