Josephine Sue Maude Pratt Shelton, 95, of Lawrence County, Arkansas, passed to Heaven Saturday, March 16, 2019.  She was born to the late Jacob Thomas and LouAda Riggs Pratt, August 17, 1923 in the Sharum community, Randolph County, Arkansas.  She was married to the late Otis Hartman Shelton in 1942, relocating to California where their four children were born and raised.  They were a farming family with Josephine supplementing the family income with office and factory work.  In 1974, they returned to Arkansas where they owned and operated Shelton's Grocery and Hardware in Ravenden and the Maynard Trading Post in Maynard, Arkansas.

Josephine is survived by three children: Stephen Shelton (Debbie) of Butte Falls, OR; Pamela Meridith (Brian) of Walnut Ridge and Rhonda Holder of Cherokee Village; six grandchildren; Spencer Ostrom of CA; Conley Meridith (Atalaya) of Paragould; Chad Gray (Jennifer) of Pocahontas: Lindsey Wilson (Keith) of Sharp County; Casey Holder of Cherokee Village; and Myra Casey of OR; and numerous great grandchildren; She was preceded by her loving husband in 2004 being married 62 years; a son Linden Sherwood Shelton in 1966; two brothers: Riggs Pratt and Paul Pratt and two sisters; Delana Ashcraft and Ethel Ezell.  Numerous family and friends will remember Jo with love.

"Momma Jo" was a loving mother who prioritized her family first.  She was intensely proud of her family and leaves behind sweet memories as she modeled many Fruits of the Spirit.  When signing a card or letter, she always closed with the promise of "Love and Prayers."  She was faithful to raise her children in a Christian home with the local church as the extended family.  She was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Annieville and an original member of Excelsior Baptist Church in Byron, CA.  She was an active community volunteer, never shirked hard worked, and was consistently willing to help and serve.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. in Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge with Bro. Jerry Clements officiating and Joel Olive leading the graveside singing.  All arrangements are under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Chad Gray, Casey Holder, Keith Wilson, and Conley Meridith.