- Date Of Birth: September 22, 1919
- Date Of Death: April 7, 2014
- State: Idaho
Vatia Jean Shelton passed from this life into the next April 7, 2014. She was born September 22, 1919 to Robert Samuel Hawker and Lydia Preston Bybee Handy Hawker in the small community of Meadowville, a few miles north of Soda Springs, Idaho. She spent most of her youth in Soda Springs and graduated from High School there. However, the 640 acres of sagebrush Rob Hawker homesteaded in the Little Wooley Valley was where the Hawker’s fondest memories were founded. After graduating, Jean went to Boise to stay with her older sister, Lydia (Peggy). Here she met her life-long companion, Lester Shelton Jr. They were married June 1, 1940 and to this union came Robert Lee Shelton and Lindale Shelton Turner. They bought their first home in 1949 in South Boise. In 1965 they moved to Nampa where they bought a small neighborhood grocery store. In 1980 they sold the store and bought a restaurant in Eagle. In 1982 they sold that and retired.
Jean was highly motivated and the community of Nampa benefited. She joined the Chamber of Commerce, serving as president and chairman of the Education Committee. She worked with the United Fund and was on the advisory committee for the Nampa School District. She received the Treasure Valley Chamber’s Honored Citizens Award in 1977, the first woman to receive it since its inception. She was politically minded and worked for the Republican ticket and at the poling centers. She was a member of the American Business Women of America and was selected as Woman of the Year in 1981.
After retiring in 1982 they migrated south for the winter and did so until Lester’s failing health forced them to remain at home.
Jean was an excellent cook and loved to entertain. Her specialty was homemade rolls and cinnamon rolls. She was talented with handwork and loved to draw.
Lester passed away March 7, 1997 and Jean moved to Park Place Assisted Living.
She is survived by her children: Robert Shelton (Marlene) and Linda Turner (Jack). Her grandchildren: Lyssa Thompson, Amanda Shelton (Kay); Scott Turner, Rohn Turner (Jamie) and Amy Capps (Carl); her great grandchildren: Rashawn Thompson, Adrianna Thompson and Alex Thompson; Maya Shelton and Myles Shelton; Dylan Turner; Rylee Turner, Rhyan Turner, Rhyland Turner, Jenna Turner and Jeena Turner; Carly Capps, Trinity Capps and Carl “Bud” Capps; her great-great-grandchild: Zola Jean Capps; other family constituting nieces, nephews and one sister-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents and all of her fourteen siblings. She will leave an empty place in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We would like to thank the staff of Park Place Assisted Living, St. Alphonsus Hospital and Nampa Care for their kindness and comfort during her stay with them. Farewell until we meet again dear Mother – We loved you so.
