Dana Metcalf Shelton passed away on October 16, 2023. She was born September 2, 1966, and began her journey of helping other people. She was a happy child, always giggling and smiling, often so much that our mother couldn’t keep her still! As she grew, she helped others at our church, sang in a small group for many churches, and kept smiling. As an adult, Dana played clarinet, was an awesome baker, loved Winnie the Pooh, was a Bon Jovi super fan, had two children that were her life, and made a home filled with smiles. She even took a job working in elderly clients’ homes to help them with their daily life.

Although MS became part of her story at a young age it never defined the person God made her to be. Through all the years of loss, wheelchairs, and finally bed confined at a nursing home somehow, she ALWAYS kept her smile. She shared that smile with everyone that entered her room or her life no matter the pain or despair she held inside. I shared the picture above because it is the last time I saw my sister stand on her own and she is definitely not in a wheelchair anymore.

She temporarily leaves behind her mom, Susie Metcalf, sister, Kaye Tefel and husband Tim Tucker, daughter, Jasmine Shelton, and best friend forever, Rhonda Davis. We know the separation will be brief because her faith in Jesus gives us the hope of seeing her again.

She lived the verse in Nehemiah 8:10 “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.” I have never known anyone stronger or happier in the face of so much hardship than my sister and I will forever miss her on this side of Heaven.

The family will have a small private memorial and ask if you want to honor her that you donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Research for a cure.

Thank you for your love and prayers for our family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org