Katherine King Shelton

Katherine King Shelton, 90, of Durham, North Carolina, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 4, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Shelton was born June 6, 1934, to the late Luther King and Pauline Holder King in Durham, NC.

In addition to her parents, Katherine is preceded in death by her son, Terry Shelton; brother Jimmy King and sisters, Billie Gullie and Gloria McDaniel.

Katherine met the love of her life Charles on a double date where he gave her the heart of the watermelon the four were sharing. They were married on November 30, 1952. During their marriage she enjoyed being the wife of a Serviceman as she was able to travel throughout the world.

Mrs. Shelton was a longtime member of Fellowship Baptist Church where she sang in the trio as an alto. She enjoyed going to church and seeing her church community. Katherine’s family was her world, she enjoyed cooking for them and being surrounded by their love.

Mrs. Shelton is survived by her husband of 72 years, Charles B. Shelton, Jr.; sons, Gary James Shelton and Kelly Ray Shelton; daughter, Shelley Kay Collins; sister, Lavanda Harward; sisters-in-law, Terri King, Elvalee Hahnert and Zella Marie Forrester; brother-in-law, George Gullie; grandchildren, Scott Whelan, Michael Collins and Christopher Collins; great-grandchildren Austin Whelan, Isabella Diaz, Liam David Collins and Jack Christopher Collins and other loving family members and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Hudson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Hudson Funeral Home, 211. S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Officiating will be Dr. Rick Finley and Pastor Don Harward.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Chuck Reid, Scott Whelan, Austin Whelan, Michael Collins, Christopher Collins, and Brock King.

Mrs. Shelton will be remembered as a kind, selfless, non-judgmental woman who brought joy into many people’s lives with her smile, kind and empathetic heart. She will be deeply missed by everyone blessed to have known her.