GREENVILLE—Carolyn Faye (Pendley) Shelton, born June 8, 1953, of Greenville was called home on March 24, 2024, with her childhood sweetheart and soulmate, David, at her side.
Faith and family were Carolyn’s priorities. She and David co-taught Sunday School and church youth groups during their 55 years together, and Carolyn led Women’s Missionary Union initiatives at the local and associational levels. Carolyn loved to sing and had a voice so beautiful that even angels stopped to listen.
Young Carolyn dreamed of becoming a schoolteacher. She attended Western Kentucky University in her 30s and graduated summa cum laude in four years, despite a lengthy commute and raising three school-age children. Carolyn retired from Muhlenberg County Public Schools after 25 years of teaching English and Humanities, accruing numerous honors and accolades along the way, including a Kentucky Teacher of the Year award in 2012. All of Carolyn’s children became public school teachers.
Carolyn was a gifted writer and was a prodigious sender of letters and cards. She prayed daily for her students, the many people she loved, and even strangers in need. In recent years, Carolyn served on the Board of Directors of the Muhlenberg County Historic Paradise Park, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Muhlenberg County’s hard-working coal miners and the arts, especially the thumbpicking style of guitar that originated here.
Carolyn loved to travel and to read. She loved art in all its forms, but especially music and dance. Her brilliant mind and quick wit were overshadowed only by the love and dedication she gave to her family: husband Kenneth David Shelton, children Dave Shelton, Jill and Jeff Page, and Andrew and Amber Shelton, and her beloved grandchildren Sawyer Page, Savannah Page, Sophie Page, Dawson Shelton, and Keagan Shelton. Carolyn is survived by these as well as her siblings, Thomas and Carolyn Pendley, Donnie and Brenda Pendley, Chauncia and Bill Vincent, David Pendley, John Mark and Kim Pendley, and other family and friends too numerous to list.
More than anything, Carolyn was the light of David’s life, and he hers. May we be forever inspired by the eternal fullness of their love. Theirs was a love story for the ages.
A public memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, KY, officiated by Rev. Curtis McGhee and assisted by Dr. Kevin Milburn. A private, graveside service for family will follow.
Friends may call during visitation between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. Donations in Carolyn’s honor may be made to the Muhlenberg County Historic Paradise Park, c/o Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court; 100 South Main Street; Greenville, KY 42345.
