03/21/11 - NNHS Newsletter

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, We have sad news this Monday morning. Former Newport News High School English teacher Helen Hardy Shelton passed away at the Gardens at Warwick Forest in Newport News on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the age of 93.

Thank you so much for relaying this sad news, Wilma. Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your friend.

				NEWPORT NEWS - Helen Hardy Shelton died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the Gardens at Warwick Forest. She was born in May, 1917 in Petersburg Va. Her early years were spent in Amelia Court House, Va., with her parents, the late Robert Hardy and Mary Ann Willson Hardy. She was a graduate in 1938 from James Madison University, then Madison College. She taught high school in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Va.; Aruba, Netherlands Antilles; and Amelia County, before coming to Newport News, where she taught for 25 years at Newport News High School and Ferguson High School.
	Helen Hardy Shelton

	She was a 49 year member of First Presbyterian Church where she was president of the Women of Church for a term. She became a member of Hidenwood Presbyterian in 2001. In 2005, she moved to Warwick Forest as a resident. In 2006, she changed her membership to Yorkminster Presbyterian, Yorktown. She served two terms on the Newport News City Library Board, and for a number of years was a docent at the Mariners Museum. She is survived by her son, Robert Hardy Shelton of Springfield, Va.; her husband, St. Julian (Red) Shelton, preceded her in death in 1979. Graveside service will be at Peninsula Memorial Park at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011. The family suggests that memorials be given to the Presbyterian Homes and Family Services, 150 Linden Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503. Peninsula Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks. Published in Daily Press from March 21 to March 22, 2011. Visit Guest Book

March 21, 2011

Robert, I knew your Mother, Helen, from Newport News High School. She was the epitome of higher learning at Newport News High School. Her dedication will always be appreciated as will her memory.

~ Steve Corum, Suffolk, Virginia

March 21, 2011

Robert,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We are very sorry that we will not be with you tomorrow, but we will be there in spirit.
As I told you Sunday, I will never forget what Helen did for my mother and the time she spent helping her with so many things. For this I will be forever grateful.

~ Bob & Sherri, Port Charlotte, Florida

March 21, 2011

Your mother was my senior English teacher at Ferguson High School some 30+ years ago, and I have thought of her often with gratitude and respect. She was definitely one of my favorite teachers, and what a privilege it was to have been under her guidance. She taught us about Shakespeare, Chaucer, grammar, and composition, but she also took time to teach us about life. Looking back, I realize she taught me the value of family, and spending time with loved ones while we still have them with us. My sister had just left for college, and she knew the void I was feeling. What an inspiration your mom was to her students! I went on to major in English and became a teacher myself, largely in part, due to your mother. Your mom lived what was in her heart, compassion for others. I am sorry for your loss, and pray God's peace for you and your family.

~ Joyce Nelson, Newport News, Virginia

March 21, 2011

Robert, my deepest condolences. I taught with your mother at Ferguson High many years ago when I was a young teacher. Later she became a wonderful neighbor on Dogwood Drive.

Your mother was a lovely person and I will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your great loss.

March 21, 2011

Mrs. Shelton was an inspirational teacher at NNHS. I consider her one of my reasons for becoming a teacher. You are in my prayers.

~ Charles Snead, Hendersonville, North Carolina

March 21, 2011

Robert: I had your dear mother for English the first part (probably the entire semester) of my senior year. I was so disappointed when I was transferred to Miss Suttle, though she was a great teacher. I did well in her class as she was a wonderful motivator. She often spoke of you and we felt like we knew you. You were blessed to have her for a mother. My sincere sympathy to you. I am planning to attend the graveside tomorrow. May God bless you and give you strength during this difficult time.
Frederick W. Mays, N.N.H.S. Class of '60

March 22, 2011

Dear Robert,
We will surely miss our Christmas cards to each other this year; she was such an inspiration to George & me. We always have missed your father (Red), since he was so kind and caring to us, when George worked for him at the shipyard. Your Mother will surely be missed by all of us, who looked forward to keeping in touch with her through the years. Love & Prayers,
George & Sandy Anderson, Fox Hill

March 24, 2011

Your Mother was a wonderful teacher and such a nice person. I was very fortunate to be one of her students. You are in my thoughts.

~ Pauline Collins Shofner

March 28, 2011

I worked with Helen at The Mariners' Museum back in the 1990s. What a wonderful woman! Her love of students and her interest in their education was always evident. She was also a great roll model for newer docents coming into the ranks. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to work with such a fabulous lady!

I am so sorry for your loss and know she will be missed by all who knew her.

April 01, 2011

April 01, 2011

April 01, 2011

Our deepest sympathies are extended to Mrs. Shelton's family, friends, and former students at this time.

Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!

- Lyrics by William W. How (1823-1897), 1864
Music (Sine Nomine) by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), 1906

For all the saints
who from their labors rest,
Who thee by faith
before the world confessed.
Thy name, O Jesus,
be forever blest.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock,
their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their captain
in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear,
their one true light.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers,
faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints
who nobly fought of old,
And win with them
the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce,
the warfare long,
Steals on the ear
the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again,
and arms are strong.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds,
from ocean's farthest coast,
Thro' gates of pearl
streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

Blue Flower Divider Line clip art courtesy of - umm, I cannot seem to locate that information at the moment...