Deborah M. Shelton

Deborah Lynn McLaughlin Shelton, age 49, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2021. She was born December 3, 1972 in Biloxi, MS to James and Mary Ann McLaughlin.

Deborah was a dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, a devoted and loving wife to her husband of 21 years, Tony Shelton, and a tireless and wonderful mother to their four children. She was also a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She lit up any room with her bubbly personality and made everyone feel special. She will be sorely missed.

Deborah graduated from Scarborough High School in Scarborough, ME, and Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, and from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC with a M.S. in Elementary Education.

The Lord allowed her to truly see much of the world while preparing for and doing what she loved – teaching children. She worked as a student teacher in London, England, and was employed as an English Teacher in South Korea for 1 1/2 years. She served the Lord with her family as a missionary to Vienna, Austria for over 15 years, making an impact on so many lives there and in Germany where she also ministered. She was an avid traveler who visited Japan, China, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Italy. She also visited the land of her family heritage, Ireland.

One of her favorite Bible verses she often quoted was Psalm 103: 12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

Deborah is survived by her parents, James and Mary Ann McLaughlin, beloved husband, Tony Shelton, and their four children, Cara, Steven, Heidi, and Anna. She is also survived by her sister Lee Ann and husband Lance (of Gulfport MS), her brother Michael and his wife Rhonda and their three children (of Bethesda, MD) and her brother Andrew and his wife Suzanne and their three children (of Scarborough, ME).

Please join us in celebrating Deborah’s life on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 415 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. Visiting Hours will be held from 10AM-11AM followed by an 11AM Funeral Service. Deborah will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Face masks are optional and all are welcome to attend.

For those unable to attend the funeral service in person, a live stream from the church will be available 5 minutes before the service by going to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgqTEMuvwTHrbaJOJDJ1YA.

Memorials in Deborah’s honor may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church or another charity of choice.

The Shelton and McLaughlin families would like to thank everyone for your outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland.