Susan Shelton

Susan Batjer Shelton, 73, of Abilene, Texas passed away on April 22, 2015 at her home. Susan was born in Abilene to Robert Dunbar Batjer, Sr. and Tee Miller Batjer on July 22, 1941. After spending her childhood here, she graduated from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, Texas. She attended Hollins College in Virginia, where she studied abroad for a year in France and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. After living and working in New York and Paris, France, Susan settled in Dallas, Texas, where she met and married John Lockett Shelton. In 1976, she and John returned to Abilene where they became active members of the community. Susan served with many civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Abilene Civic Center, museums within Abilene, and the Ben Richey Boys Ranch. Susan delighted in spending time with John and her friends hosting lavish gourmet gatherings. She and John traveled extensively through Europe and Mexico. Susan was immensely creative and an accomplished artist in her own right. She was an avid collector and puzzler. Susan was a member in good standing Exxon Travel Club, in which she remained active after John's death. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, Robert D. Batjer, Jr, and her nephew, Thomas Minter Batjer. She is survived by her sister in law, Jackie Batjer, of Abilene; niece, Jane Anne Batjer, of St. Louis, Missouri; her nephew, Jim Batjer, and wife, Shawn, of Dallas; great nieces, Susan Schmoker, Ashley Batjer, Brooke Batjer, Blaire Batjer and Paris Batjer and great nephew, Christian Schmoker; step-daughter, Sarah Shelton White, and husband David, of Longview; step-son, Peter Kirkpatrick Shelton and wife Julia, of Cleveland, Ohio; and grandchildren, Laura White Uhlir and husband Ray, Henry White, Abigail Shelton, and Ford Shelton. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Braymer, Lee Caldwell, David Caruthers, JoePete Forcher, Jess Holloway, Tom Perini, Terry Stubbs, Jimmy Tittle, Rufus Wallingford and Charles White. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, April 25th at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, followed by inurnment in the columbarium, with The Rev. Luke Back officiating. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Friends are invited and encouraged to join the family in the Parish Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, the Ben Richey Boys Ranch, or the charity of the donor's choice.