When the time comes to bid this life farewell, we should find comfort in knowing that a loving God will be there with us to guide us to our new home.

The Lord called His angel, Victoria Mattie Kenan Home on Sunday, February 1, 2026. She was born April 19, 1944, daughter of the late Lewis Shelton, Sr., and the late Alice Johnson Shelton. She was a native of Kents Store, Virginia. Mattie was married to James Timothy Kenan from 1983 till his passing on October 19, 2005. 

Wherever Mattie lived, she always found a church and became an active member. She was a member at New Samaritan in DC, her family church was Galilee Baptist Church, but Mattie wanted to remain at her home church which is Byrd Grove Baptist Church.

Mattie remained active and faithfully served in various capacities at Byrd Grove. She served on the missionary, hospitality ministries, and sang in the unity choir.

Mattie worked for 27 years at the US Pentagon, where she retired in 1996. In 2009, she returned to her hometown, Kent’s Store, Virginia, where she lived out her life to the fullest and made memories with her family and friends all around her. 

Her Smile – Oh, how we will miss being greeted by Her Smile! She’s gone but not forgotten.

She leaves behind many memories and good times, including frequent family gatherings where she shared her cakes, pies and potato salad. 

We will miss her calls to check on family, friends and siblings. Even though we have lost another limb from our family tree, let’s continue Mattie’s legacy by hosting family gatherings, calling weekly to check in on each other and smiling. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren, Achiri Ade and Shirri Ateh Ade; Step-Daughter Faye Salmond- Jackson; Brothers James and Roger Shelton; host of family; nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis Robert Shelton Sr. and Alice Shelton; Husband James Timothy Four brothers Marvin Shelton, Lewis "June" Robert Shelton, Clarence "Leroy" Shelton, Paul Douglas Shelton; one sister Gertrude "Pearl" Bishop; her daughter Dolores Ann Ade.

To the Kenan family, we at D. D. Watson offer our most sincere sympathy and condolences. Our prayer continues to be that your abiding faith in God will lend to you a measure of comfort that will strengthen and sustain you during your time of sorrow.

It is during such times as these that we draw upon our faith, stand upon our scriptures, and rely upon our God. There is no question that in this and through this, God will keep you, comfort you, and sustain you. You and your family are forever in our prayers.