Jan Shelton

May 7, 1950 - February 3, 2012

Ms. Jan Shelton, age 61, passed on February 3, 2012 peacefully at her home in Columbia, TN with her family. She courageously battled a long term illness and, in the process, showed us how to live life to the fullest.


She grew up in Donelson, TN in a home with loving parents, Fred & Frances Shelton. Her grandparents, Fred & Annie Dee Shelton also played an important part in her childhood. She was very close to her uncle and aunt, Dr. Ed & Gay Hurt of Mt. Juliet, TN.

She graduated from Two Rivers High School in May of 1968 and went on to pursue a degree at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN. She subsequently decided to dedicate herself to her country and enrolled in the US Army in 1980. She spent 3 years in Heidelberg, Germany and became supervisor of the histology lab.

It was in Germany where she met her lifelong friend and partner, Lorretta Holub. Loretta and Jan spent 31 wonderful years together. They eventually settled in Columbia in 2004. They shared a love for animals, both dogs and cats. Jan's great sense of humor and joy for living uplifted everyone who knew her.


She is survived by Lorretta, her brother, Brixey Shelton, and wife Elaine, of Memphis, TN, and nephew, James Shelton, and wife Kate, also of Memphis. Arrangements to be made with family and friends for private gathering.


Condolences may be sent to the family at the top of this page.