Lorelei "Lee" Shelton, 81 of Harrisonville, MO, died Monday, January 18, 2010 at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Harrisonville. Friends may call from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Friday, February 5 at Spencer Hall, next to the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or to the victims in Haiti at: fomrelief.com

Lee was born February 24, 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of David Livingston and Louise (Bremner) Barnes. She was a graduate of Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. She attended Grinnell College, the University of New Mexico and the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Lee married Bill R. Shelton on June 1, 1956 in Olathe, KS. Prior to her marriage, she had a career in journalism. While raising her six children she worked as a substitute teacher in the Raymore-Peculiar school district. Her joy of cats led her to be a member of the American Cat Fanciers Association where she bred and showed Persians.

After moving to Peculiar, MO, Lee was active in the Cass County Historical Society. As a lifelong Republican, she hosted many fund raisers at Walnut Hill Farm, as well as several weddings for children and relatives. As an adult she joined the Episcopal Church and was quite active. Her last parish was St. Peter's of Harrisonville, which she had attended since 1964.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Lorna Delaruier Hunter. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bill R. Shelton of the home; five children, Sandra Ruppert and her husband, Bill, Linda Fricke, Terrance D. Shelton and his wife, Lisa Wong, Bill Shelton and his wife, Nancy, Bob Shelton and his wife, Sharon; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family thanks the staff of Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville and Good Shepherd Hospice of Kansas City, MO.