Celebration for Sharon Shelton

A large crowd of friends and family gathered at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta to celebrate the life of Sharon Shelton, who died on March 18 after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

The service was opened with the solo "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" from Handel's Messiah, accompanied by the organ. Larissa Siegel, soloist and Charles Whittaker, organist.

The assembled congregation sang "Face to Face with Christ my Savior".

Minister Dr. George Bryant Wirth led the celebration service.

Sharon's three suitemates at Blue Mountain College, Mississippi, read scriptures from Psalms and shared comments about Sharon's impact on their lives. Louise, Rosemary and Jobeth have remained close friends with Sharon over the years.

Daughters Suzie Shelton Puetz of Portland and Stacy Shelton of Atlanta and husband Sam paid loving tribute to Sharon.

The congregation sang Amazing Grace, There is a Balm in Gilead, and Amen, Amen. The service was ended with a moving solo rendition of "His Eye is On the Sparrow" Throughout the service of celebration there was the calm feeling that in spite of the grief we felt, there was assurance that God was with us and the feeling that in affirming this life well lived, we were affirming life itself. Even after the pain of watching Sharon struggle, we could affirm that the life of following Christ does work and sustains us even to the end. Amen.

From the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 22, 2003.