Ethel Mae (Proffitt) Shelton

Ethel Mae Proffitt Shelton, 84, of Unicoi County passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Governor’s Bend Assisted Living Center. She was born in Washington State and was the daughter of the late James Horace Proffitt and Ida Messer Proffitt Ray. Ethel lived most of her life in Flag Pond, where she raised five strong-willed daughters and one son. In addition, to being a full-time mother, she served as the secretary for C.G. Shelton Lumber Company, a family-owned and operated sawmill.

Ethel was a member of the Sweetwater Church of God. She enjoyed music, singing, dancing, and visiting with family and friends. She had a lifelong passion for collecting antiques and operated several antique stores.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Cecil Ray and four siblings, John Proffitt, Raymond Proffitt, Lillian Massengill and Alice Cox.

She is survived by her six children: Marie Rice (Roger), Karen Shelton (Louie), Dianne Mallett (Robert), Shelba Love (Todd), Vickie Sell (David) and Jamey Shelton (Karen); one sister-in-law, Ima Jean Runion; eleven grandchildren, Amber Peterson, Josh Mallett, Joshua Love, Joel Shelton, Leah Love Meredith, Brooke Shelton Walser, Jordan Sell, Ashely Sell, Gavin Williams, Wyatt Shelton, and Ava Kate Shelton; three great grandchildren: Miles Meredith, Evie Meredith, Elena Davis, Gray Walser and Kieren Walser. She had many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Due to inclement weather, a private graveside service will be held for close family and friends on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Ray-Rice Cemetery (Highway 352) in Flag Pond. Reverend Craig Shelton will officiate. Active pallbearers will be Jamey Shelton, Louie Shelton, Todd Love, Robert Mallett, Joshua Love, Roger Rice, David Sell, Jordan Sell, Gavin Williams, and Wyatt Shelton. Honorary pallbearers Harvey Rice, and Joel Shelton.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Governor’s Bend for their loving care and to Amedisys Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Ethel to: Sweetwater Church of God, 100 Sweetwater Loop, Flag Pond, Tennessee 37657 and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Department., 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, www.stjude.org.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Shelton family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. 

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin is privileged to serve the Shelton family. (423) 743-1380.

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