Nadean Milton Shopbell

Rev. Dr. Nadean Milton Shopbell, born on September 29, 1954, in Belzoni, Mississippi, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2025, in Ashland, Ohio, at the age of 70.
Born the fifth of eight children to the late Allen James Milton, Sr., and Mattie Lee (Head) Milton, Nadean always carried a deep love for her childhood home in Indianola, Mississippi, her seven siblings, and their families. She doted on her maternal grandparents, Mama and Preacher (Charlie and Luebertha King), and cherished her parents, grieving the loss of her father as a young teenager, and treasuring her close relationship with her mother, known as Mother Dear.
Nadean gave birth to three children: Kevin, Duane, and Nicole. With their father, James, she laid a foundation of love, faith, character, excellence, and laughter for them. She encouraged and supported her children's many interests while cultivating her own. She was an excellent seamstress, designer, cook, and bowler. In her kindness and generosity, she would often sew and cook for others, sharing whatever she had to give.
Nadean valued education and was a lifelong learner. Upon graduation from Gentry High School in Indianola, Mississippi, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology from Mississippi Valley State University, a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Marriage and Family from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Growing up, she was a sprinter in track and field and a member and leader of many clubs and service groups, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Her presence shifted the atmosphere of every room she entered. She walked with the Spirit and loved the Word of God, and her relationship with Christ was at the center of her work assisting families in transition at Family Life Counseling and Psychiatric Services and New Directions Counseling Center.
Nadean came to saving faith in Jesus Christ at a young age and committed her life to the study, teaching, and preaching of the Gospel. Her spiritual journey began at Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Indianola, Mississippi, and continued at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio, where she taught Sunday School for teens, sang in the Mass Choir, crafted dramatic presentations and celebrations throughout the sacred calendar year, and where she was later ordained to ministry and installed as Associate Pastor. In later years, she served in ministry at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ashland, as Director of Recovery Ministries at Church of the Saviour in Wooster, as Associate Minister of Restoration Ministries in Cleveland, and was a member of Christ Gospel Church, attending services in Mansfield and Bucyrus. She loved God and His people. She was a servant, a worshipper, a wise counselor, an intercessor, an encourager, and a dynamic preacher and Bible teacher.
Nadean married Richard Shopbell in 2014, and the pair enjoyed twenty years of love, fellowship, family, and adventure.
Her legacy will be carried by her husband, Richard; children: Kevin, Duane, and Nicole (Eugene); grandchildren: Easton and August; stepdaughter Laura; her siblings: Allen James Milton Jr., Verdean McCord (Willie), Lesa Betties, and Emery Milton (Brenda), along with scores of nieces, nephews, and their families, as well as ministry partners, colleagues, and many friends and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Diane Head, Billy Ray Love, Delbera Gains, and Charles Stanley Milton.
A celebration of her life will be held at Christ Gospel Church in Mansfield (250 Home Avenue) on Saturday, September 27th, at 10:30 a.m. Calling hours will begin at 10:00 am.