Edith Shelton

Edith Jean (Lawe) Shelton passed away quietly at her home in Brentwood, MD after a brief illness. Edith Jean was born June 15, 1931 in Washington, DC to Edith Mae (Kave) Lawe Dickens Clarke and Andrew William Lawe. Her departure on January 28, 2021 was attended by her four children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Stanley D. Shelton, Jr (retired 1st. Sgt. U.S. Army). She leaves to mourn three sisters, Dr. Gretchen D. Lofland, Elenore (aka Sparkles) Lawe Johnson (Richard), and Andrea Renee Lawe. She is also survived by her brother in-law, Robert Holt (Loretta). Waiting in heaven are her siblings Martha V. (Lawe) Bragg, Andrew (aka Billy) W. Lawe (Thelma), James Dickens, Bernard F. Turner III, and cousin Charles Chapman (Delores).

Surviving children are Jerome Shelton (Violet aka Joy), Jean Shelton, Jan Shelton Alexander, and Jaye Shelton Lindo (Robert). Her grandchildren William L. Alexander, III (Tammy), Aaron M. Alexander, Darius J. Shelton (Deidre), Danielle J. Shelton (RiaRenee), Nicole E. Lindo, Krystal E. Lindo-Lopez (Jose Miguel aka Mike), and Stephanie E. Lindo Washington (Dominick aka Dom). Great- grandchildren include Sydney Shelton, Jayla Alexander, Simon Shelton, Quentin Lindo Keeno, and Raven Lindo. Edith Jean is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Bragg, Lawe, Lofland, Cutler, Shelton, Dickens, Kave, Young, Chapman, and Holt families.

Edith Jean graduated from Dunbar Senior High School in Washington, DC and continued her education with service as an Army wife. She and 1st Sgt. Stanley Shelton resided on Army bases throughout the world including Germany, Texas, California, Kansas, and New Jersey. She was an active member of the NCO Wives Club and enjoyed serving other charity events including the Special Olympics during their years of military service. She loved baseball and would starch and iron Stanley’s uniforms while listening to her favorite teams.

When Stanley was deployed to Korea and/or Vietnam, Edith Jean would join the civilian work force in whatever capacity available. If a short order cook, stock clerk, or general office worker was required, she took on the job. She made sure Christmas presents were available for her children by working at Garfinkel’s wrapping gifts for others. She loved working and making friends at Ida’s Department Store in DC. It was truly Edith’s joy to be employed, make friends, and to receive a paycheck. She loved it! While she was the glue that held the family together, Edith Jean was also a great wife and mother. She relished in her underplayed role in the family of making sure Stanley maintained his alpha status.

After retiring to Washington, DC with Stanley, Edith continued her love of travel by visiting Honolulu (with her mom), Las Vegas (with her 3 daughters), and Los Angeles to cheer on the Washington Redskins at the Super Bowl (with her three siblings). Additional travel destinations included New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta, Raleigh, Ft. Lauderdale, and Mexico.

After Stanley’s 20 years of service and retirement from the Army, Edith Jean continued her professional career in the exposition industry with positions at United Expo and Brede Expo. Through her ability to never meet a stranger, she was always able to discover someone new to talk to and made friends of staff and co-workers. In the comfort of her home, car, or even the office, Edith Jean loved to dance and sing along to some of her favorite artists. Her favorite pastimes were baseball and bingo. She created several lifelong friendships during bingo on Thursday nights and even introduced her children and grandchildren to the game.

All are welcome to celebrate her life by visiting www.Gaschs.com. Interment and prayer will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The date and time are to be determined. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in her name to the Washington/Maryland chapters of the American Cancer and/or the National Multiple Sclerosis Societies.