Carolyn Shelton, Long-Time Christian Warrior

 Carolyn Louise Thompson Shelton was born in Baton Rouge on May 6, 1947. She loved remembering her childhood in simpler times where days were filled with trips to the river, playing football with the neighborhood kids, and devoted family prayer. 

Later in life she would give the same roots to her own family. Being a beloved storyteller, she would tell everyone how she had “searched and searched and searched for the truth”. She just knew there was more. She overcame many trials and faced much opposition, but she pressed on and received the Holy ghost on July 4, 1982. She lived to tell everyone that she had “finally seen the real fireworks!” 

She was a faithful saint and member of Life Tabernacle Church for 38 years. She was known by all to be a hard worker. She retired from Zachary Community School System Food Service. She did her most cherished work at church. She remained steadfast through all of life’s seasons, never missing an opportunity to pray, be a witness, love, and laugh with all her family and friends. Most notably was to worship until bobby pins would rain to the floor.

Her greatest honor on this earth was being called Mama and Maw Maw. She opened her heart to everyone she met, always offered a shoulder to lean on, time to listen, love to give, and encouraging words to share.

On any other Sunday night, she would have been found in a powerful church service fighting the good fight of faith but on Sunday night, Dec. 13, 2020, Sis. Carolyn miraculously and peacefully received her reward in her home surrounded by her family.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her father, Sibley Thompson, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Marie Pugh Thompson; infant daughter, Vicki Michelle; brother, Sibley Walton Thompson, Jr.; infant sister; and son-in-law, Darrell Gene Badeaux.

Carolyn will be terribly missed by her daughters, Lynette Cryar and husband Bubba, Paula Thomas and husband Nathan; Stephanie Carroll and husband Joseph; grandchildren, BJ Holt and wife Emily, Caitlyn Cryar, Dillon Carroll and wife Mashella, Clint Cryar, Matthew Carroll, and Claire Cryar; great-grandchildren, Landon Holt, Tucker Holt, Laiken Holt, Brylee Bourgeois, and Weston Adams; brother, Carl Thompson; sister, Connie Kerr and husband Donnie; uncles, Ralph Thompson and Jimmy Noe Thompson and wife Diane; and many loving friends and family.

Pallbearers will be BJ Holt, Dillon Carroll, Clint Cryar, Matthew Carroll, Lee Thompson, and David Stewart. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at Life Tabernacle Church, 9323 Hooper Road, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the visitation will continue at Life Tabernacle Church on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, from 9 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 11 a.m., officiated by Pastor Tony Spell. Graveside service will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, in Pine Grove.