Mrs. Joella Berry Diffey, of Kentucky, a former longtime resident of Forrest City, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Fort Thomas, Ky.
Mrs. Diffey was a native of Bentonville, the daughter of Frederic H. Berry and Mabel Bryan Berry. She was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and president of the Chi Omega Sorority. She live in Forrest City for 52 years and was Dean of Girls at Forrest City High School. She was also a member of the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Diffey is survived by three daughters, Susan Diffey Marlowe of Little Rock, Jo Diffey Alexander of Fort Thomas, Ky. and Laura Diffey Mazzanti of Forrest City; one brother, James Henderson Berry of Lafayette, Calif.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Diffey.
A memorial service for Mrs. Diffey will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Graham Presbyterian Church.
Mr. John Wesley Shelton, age 64, of Nashville, Tenn., died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003.
Mr. Shelton, born March 27, 1938, in Madison, was the son of Knowledge Shelton and Beddie Cherry. He was a retired veteran of the United States Army where he received a number of commendations including the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Mr. Shelton was a member of First Baptist Church of South Inglewood, Tenn. and was a graduate of Columbia College where he received both associate arts and bachelor degrees and Webster College where he received a Masters of Arts.
In 1960, Mr. Shelton married Catherine Farmer and she survives him along with three daughters, Rosiland Shelton of St. Louis, Mo., and Linda Faye Shelton and Patricia Ann Verge, both of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, John Wesley Shelton II and Stevie Shelton, both of Nashville, Tenn., a brother, Kenneth T. Shelton of Forrest City; his step-mother, Lavonia Shelton, of Forrest City, nine grandchildren and several other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Shelton were held on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at First Baptist Church in South Inglewood, Tenn. with Rev. Henry K. Smith officiating. Burial services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.