Anita C. Shelton, age 89 of Brashear, Missouri, passed away Friday March 1, 2019 at the Knox County Nursing Home where she had been a resident since June 2017.

Beulah Anita (Crossgrove) Shelton was born May 20, 1929 at the Crossgrove family farm home two miles northeast of Brashear which was established in 1869. She was the eldest daughter of Arthur Leo and Beulah Pauline (Luckenbaugh) Crossgrove. On February 23, 1947 she was united in marriage to Joe Henry Shelton at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Brashear, Missouri with the Rev. G.D. Hammontree officiating. On February 23, 2019 they celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Surviving are her husband, Joe; one daughter, Mrs. Jeff (Lisa) Osborn of Brashear, Missouri; one son, Brent Shelton and husband Angel Bunao of Kirksville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Justin Osborn of Kirksville, Missouri, Jared Osborn of Burlington, Iowa and Mrs. Alex (Kristin) Nelson of Brashear, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Peyton Osborn, Adasyn Osborn, Kheegan Moots and George Nelson; three sisters, Vivian Shelton of Ramah, Colorado, Mrs. Ed (Glenna) Pigg of Hurdland, Missouri and Mrs. Rick (Bonnie) Harrelson of Brashear, Missouri; two brothers, Arthur Dale Crossgrove and wife Evelyn of Novinger, MO and Roger Crossgrove and wife Joey of Salem, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews all whom she dearly loved as well as extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father on December 5, 1964; her mother on September 12, 1976 as well as her Aunt and Uncle, Charles and Vergil (Luckenbaugh) Bohon and two special first cousins, Lynette (Bohon) Neff and Kenneth Bohon.

Anita was a life-long resident of the Brashear community. She attended the Paultown School through the 8 ^th grade and was a 1946 graduate of Brashear High School as Valedictorian. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shelton were engaged in farming and Anita was a housewife and homemaker and also helped on the farm. She was a member of the Brashear Community Bible Church for over 70 years, having taken membership there October 27, 1940 and was also baptized the same year. For over 30 years she served as the church pianist and taught a children's Sunday school class for many years. She was a faithful member of the church and served on various women's groups including Women For Missions, Hospitality and the church council. For several years she sang in the Church Quartet which consisted of Anita, Harold & Bettie Moyer and Mildred Cooper. They sang for many services and also a number of funerals. She was known for her wonderful cooking skills and had in earlier years won several blue ribbons for her fair entries. She was a long-time member of the Oak Dale Extension Club. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she even loved the "grand-dogs". Spending time with her family was among her most cherished events. Anita enjoyed Cardinal's baseball, basketball, especially when her grandchildren were playing. Her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends were cherished in her heart and she prayed for all of us daily. She had a deep and abiding faith and love for God and served Him faithfully all of her life.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Brashear Community Bible Church in Brashear, Missouri. Her son, The Rev. Brent Shelton will officiate assisted by the Rev. Donny Powell and Rev. Darrell Draper. Congregational hymns will be "It Is Well", Face to Face" and "Because He Lives" directed by Dave Bohon who will also sing "He Really Cares About You" accompanied by Karin Bohon.

Burial will be in the Brashear Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Rick Hale, Josh Hettinger, Randall Shahan, Laverne Gerhold, Larry Billington and Albert Zentz.

Visitation will be held Monday March 4, 2019 from 6 to 8 at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri with the family receiving friends at that time. The body will be taken to the church at 9:00 a.m. on Monday and friends may call until the service time.

Memorials may be given to the Brashear Community Bible Church, World Gospel Missions or the Knox County Nursing Home.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO, 63537.