Elder John Shelton

John Shelton was the youngest child of five children born to Scott Shelton and Fannie Mae Jones on November 21, 1944, in Karnack, Texas. He attended and graduated from George Washington Carver High School. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He loved hunting and finding spots on Caddo Lake to catch his favorite types of fish. He perfected the art of not only catching his dinner but processing it as well. He loved his hometown of Karnack specifically Uncertain, Texas. After high school, he moved from East Texas to Dallas, Texas. He gave his life to Christ and joined Full Gospel Holy Temple in 1971, under the leadership of the late Apostle Lobias and Dr. Shirley Murray. He continued to serve faithfully under the leadership of Apostle Herman L. Murray and Lady Daniele Murray.
Early in his Christian journey, he married Shirley Haynes, beginning his role as a proud and doting father; a role he would cherish for a lifetime. They welcomed their children Adriane and Dairius. After her passing, he prayed that God would help him through his grief and the challenges of rearing young children. After seeking God, on February 23, 1974, he married Stella West. He always referred to her as his best friend and as a reminder that God answers prayers. He frequently proclaimed that "God put us together." Their union was further blessed by sons Jonathan and Joshua, and daughter Keisha. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, community, and ministry. He loved God and wanted his children to share his passion for life as he did. His pride and joy were taking care of his family and being a provider. He worked for LTV/VOIT in Grand Prairie, before moving to Sherman. He often took his children on family trips and took pride in showing them new experiences.
While ministering the gospel, he developed a highly successful business acquiring antiques. His keen eye for detail, allowed him to spot priceless finds from the most inconspicuous places. He frequented estate and garage sales along with other business sales acquiring hard to find items for eager buyers. He was known as "The Preacher" on the antique circuit. While his business became highly successful and lucrative for him and his family his main focus was ministry.
Being a husband and father were among his proudest stations; he felt a pull from God to begin ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While at Full Gospel Holy Temple, Inc., he worked on the evangelism team, prayer room ministry, participated in quartet singing, and was a notable altar room worker. In 1984, he felt the call by God and accepted the position to pastor at Full Gospel Holy Temple in Sherman. After months of commuting from Dallas to Sherman, he relocated his family permanently to Sherman to work full time in ministry. As a pastor, he compelled many in Grayson County and surrounding areas to give their lives to Christ. His passion for the Lord and dynamic testimony brought many under conviction and countless souls were saved. The power he possessed was felt in each message that he preached.
In 2021 after 39 years of pastoral service, he retired and began to focus on his health, wife, children, and grandchildren. While his health began to decline, he was still faithful to his family and the house of God. Known as a man of great determination, he exuded the epitome of a Godly man.
On January 1, 2025, just a few months after celebrating his eightieth birthday, he went on to be with the Lord. He leaves to celebrate his victory, a loving wife of fifty years First Lady Emerita Stella Shelton, daughters; Adriane Shelton of Knollwood, Texas, and Keisha Shelton Cook (Maury) of Irving, Texas; two sons Dairius Shelton (Leticia) of Garland, Texas, and Pastor Joshua Shelton (Wendy) of Sherman, Texas; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother James Ray Shelton (Alice) of Dallas, Texas; a special niece and God daughter Debra Wade of Tyler, Texas; and a host nieces, nephews, friends, and church family. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers AC Thomas, Sr., Henry Shelton, Sr., a sister Patsy Samuels, and son Jonathan Shelton.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.