of Starkville, MS
October 9, 1935 - January 19, 2015
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Mauzy Shelton, long-time Starkville resident, passed away January 19, 2015 at her home after a long illness. She was 79 years old. Born in Ft. Smith, AR on October 9, 1935, Mary was raised in Charleston, AR, the adopted only child of Claude G. and Kathleen Carroll Mauzy. She attended the University of Arkansas and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. She received her Bachelor's degree with a major in English and a minor in music. She met her beloved husband, Wayne, while pursuing her graduate degree in Education. They moved to Starkville in 1964 after he was offered a teaching position at Mississippi State University. Mary received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Mississippi State University in 1974.
She worked for the Starkville Public School system, first as a much-loved fifth grade teacher at Sudduth Elementary School, then later as the administrator of federal projects for the district. She was extensively involved with the department of Special Education. She developed both the PEAK and VIVA programs for the school district the 1970' early 1980's. Music was always an important part of her life and she served as musical director and organist for St. Joseph Catholic Church for nineteen years. She was an accomplished jazz pianist. Aunt Mary's Christmas Eve Carol Singing Spectacular was a favorite family tradition, complete with homemade instruments for all. In her later years, she became a genealogy buff alongside her sister in-law, Joyce, and located her biological family, which includes several half sisters and a brother. She was proud to discover that through her mother, Mildred, she was a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma with several prominent Mississippi Choctaw of old being in her family tree including Louis B. Durant, for whom both Durant, MS and OK was named. She also learned that her biological father was killed at the Battle Of Remagan Bridge during World War II, while reinforcing the bridge to prevent the Germans from accessing the last remaining crossing over the Rhine River. Mary cherished her many long-time friends. She enjoyed being one of the Antique Ladies with whom she shared many years of laughter and fun. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Dr. Aubrey Wayne Shelton, daughter Allison Shelton Ross (husband Michael), granddaughters Jessica Turri and Jordan Turri, all of Nashville, Tennessee, as well as numerous Shelton family members and her half-brother David Steele and sisters Margaret Vaughn, Theresa Neves , Barbara McGee, Sandy Steele and Sheila Graeber. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Kathleen Mauzy, her birth mother, Mildred Steele, and half sister Charlotte Jones.
The family would like to express gratitude to her two beloved care takers, Lena Branson and Annjanette Calvert for the compassionate care they provided during her long struggle. Thank you also to the Gentiva nurses and Hospice Care for their help during her last days.