Alberta Shelton

Alberta Shelton, age 94, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Canterbury-on-the-Lake in Waterford, Michigan. Alberta was born the daughter of William and Martha (Westphal) Eden on May 13, 1923 in Bay Port, Michigan. Alberta was united in marriage to William Graham in 1946 and was the loving mother of Gail Johnson and Dennis Graham. On April 14, 1962 she was married to Harold W. Shelton, with him predeceasing her on August 5, 1991. In her later years, she was a companion to a wonderful friend Eldon Bellows who passed in February, 2009. Alberta is survived by her children Gail (Daniel) Johnson of Lutherville-Timonium, MD and Dennis (Patti) Graham of Commerce Township, MI; brother Robert Eden of Pigeon, MI; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Alberta was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Ann Elizabeth Patterson and Albert Eden. Alberta’s family lived on a farm where she worked hard as a child with planting, harvesting, weeding, milking cows, and caring for animals. Raised in the rural thumb area of Michigan, Alberta then moved to the big city of Detroit upon finishing high school. She was always proud to remember she was chosen the Valedictorian in her graduation class of 13 students. In Detroit she lived with her Aunt Margaret and favorite Uncle Johnny, with whom she loved to spend time cooking big family Sunday dinners. She worked at Hudson's Department Store up until the time she married William Graham and became a mother. Alberta was a loving caregiver. She not only raised her two children, but two other sets of children of working parents. She was able to manage a perfect blend of giving affection and setting boundaries for her children. They knew she always had their back, but she also instilled in them a responsibility to the family that she insisted they carry out. She was a quiet, private women who devoted herself to her family. Her sense of humor and common sense were traits she passed on to her children. When she was in her 50's, she became a bank teller on a lark, by answering a help wanted sign while she was making a deposit one day. She experienced her greatest fulfillment in that work, proudly proclaiming that not one time was she ever out of balance at the end of the day. In her retirement years, Alberta became a Snow Bird, and lived at Littlefield Lake in Lake, Michigan (in the Clare area) in the summer and a small home in Winter Haven, Florida during the winter. She loved sitting outside observing nature around her lake and in Florida. She was especially fond of humming birds (but not alligators). She loved lighthouses, country music, playing cards, sewing, dancing, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her friends and neighbors in Michigan and Florida. Alberta’s private burial has taken place in the Gilmore Twp. Cemetery in Farwell, MI with a Memorial Service being planned for next year. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements were made by the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home in Farwell. Friends and family may also sign and share thoughts on the On-line guestbook at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Alberta Shelton

May 13, 1923 - November 29, 2017