Lena Belle Thurston Shelton, affectionately called "Belle" by those who knew her best, was born on November 8, 1946, to the late Paul and Dorothy Thurston in Louisa County, Virginia.  With her loving and devoted husband by her side, she slipped into eternal rest on June 9, 2018 at the University of Virginia Hospital.

Belle was educated in the public schools of Louisa County.  Early in life, she became a member of the Laurel Hill Baptist Church and served faithfully as a member of the Ushers' Ministry.  Later in life, she united with her husband and joined with the membership of the Rising Sun Baptist Church where she continued her service as an usher and the Deaconess Ministry.  Belle was employed as a seamstress at Louisa Manufacturing and Rockingham Sleepwear for many years.

In addition to her parents, Belle was predeceased by her brother:  Clarence Thurston, Sr.; sisters:  Lillie Mae Berkeley and Mildred Harris; a nephew:  Calvin Harris; and brothers-in-law:  Hugh Berkeley, Jordan Osco Shelton, and Frank Harris, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her dedicated husband of fifty-five years who never left her side:  Clarence Shelton, Sr.; a son:  Clarence Shelton, Jr.;  two grandchildren:  Brandon Shelton and Rychelle Johnson;  great-grandchildren:  Katyiah, Brenden, and Tamia;  two brothers:  Samuel Thurston (Roberta) and Paul Thurston;  one sister:  Clarisa Shelton;  Darrell Thurston who was raised as her brother;  brothers-in-law:  Frank Shelton, Jr. and Leroy Shelton;  sisters-in-law:  Gussie Thurston and Lucille Pryor; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Celebrating the Life for Lena Belle Thurston Shelton will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2018 at Rising Sun Baptist Church, 6829 Fredricks Hall Road, Mineral with Reverend Walter Pleasants, Jr. – Pastor and Officiating; Reverend Frederick Sales, Eulogist. Interment will follow in the Spring Grove Memorial Cemetery.