Karen Stanford Shelton

Karen Stanford Shelton of South Boston, Virginia, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on January 22, 2023. She was 79.

Karen was a celebrated artist who, during her over 50-year career, received countless awards and accolades throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, showcasing her realistic watercolor paintings. Karen was a signature member of the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society. Karen’s watercolors mastered light, shadow and color to depict the beauty of nature. Karen’s art was an expression of her deep faith and her love of nature and family. Karen’s personal statement expressed this thought best. “I am not trying to make a statement with my art other than to appreciate the everyday world around me… the beauty of the fruits of the earth and the love of family and those who came before me.”

Throughout her life, Karen maintained deep and enduring relationships with her family and friends and enjoyed nothing more than sharing meals, time, and laughter with all of those she loved.  Evidence of Karen’s kind and generous spirit was exemplified most vividly by the many art patrons who initially loved Karen’s work, but quickly came to love Karen and become lasting friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Weldon D. Shelton, her parents John B. Stanford and Margaret Moser Stanford Redmayne, and her sister-in-law Angela Stanford and brother-in-law David Wilson. She is survived by her sons John Shelton (Dawn) and David Shelton (Christina), her three grandchildren, William Shelton, Erin Shelton, and Spencer Shelton, and great-grandson James Shelton. She is also survived by her sister Laura Bolling (Ernie), brother John B. Stanford, Jr. (Ann), nephew Steven Adler (Allison), and nieces Ellen Stanford (Emily) and Elizabeth Giordani (Anthony), and many other precious family members and friends. 

The family will receive visitors at 10:00am on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at First Baptist Church of South Boston, 815 N. Main Street, South Boston, Virginia. A service of remembrance will follow at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, Karen’s family asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church of South Boston, or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592