Jeannette Arleen Pepper Shelton

Jeannette Arleen Pepper Shelton passed away November 25, 2016 at Newport Health and Rehabilitation Center at age 93. Honorably discharged as Airman Second Class from the United States Air Force, she was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and one of the oldest women veterans in Newport, TN. She was born July 11, 1923 in Coudersport, Pennsylvania where she graduated from high school in 1941. She was the middle child of Leon Earl Pepper and Dora (McNamara) Pepper. She had a brother Howard Eugene Pepper (deceased) of Philadelphia who served in WWII and a sister Beverly Ann Pfuntner, of Austin, TX. Her mother's family was Irish and her dad's family was English. Her father worked on moon rockets while employed by General Electric. Her mother was a homemaker. Jeannette first worked as a secretary then as a "Rosie the Riveter" during WW II. She decided she wanted to do more for her country, so she enlisted in the Air Force and completed her basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. She studied to become a photographer at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, which gave her the opportunity to jump out of several planes. She met and married Airman Third Class Rawleigh Morgan Shelton from Newport, Tennessee in a military wedding on February 4, 1954 at the Randolph Field Air Force Base Chapel in Texas. After their discharge from the Air Force, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Rawleigh worked for General Motors. She followed the love of her life to his Newport, Tennessee home after he retired in the 80s, knowing the move would represent a total lifestyle change for her. After almost 50 years of marriage, Rawleigh passed away in November, 2003. Jeannette is survived by sister Beverly and brother-in-law Jack Pfuntner of Austin, TX, their three children, 8 great nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews and a niece (her brother's daughter) Vicki Eldridge, of New Providence, PA. On Rawleigh's side, she is survived by her sister-in-law Elizabeth Shelton of Newport, nieces and nephews Phyllis Shelton Pomakoy (Hendersonville, TN), Arlene Shelton and Brent Gregg (Newport), Blake Gregg (Knoxville), Brena Ross , (Raleigh, NC), Patricia Barger (Parrottsville), Frank Shelton (Steubenville, OH), John Shelton (Tacoma, WA), and 25 great and great-great nieces and nephews. Jeannette Pepper Shelton loved her family and her country. A graveside service will be held Monday, November 28th at 11:00 AM, Resthaven Cemetery, with military honors. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alzheimer's Tennessee 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919-9933. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.

Jeannette Arleen Pepper Shelton

July 11, 1923 - November 25, 2016