Lil (Lillian) W. Shelton

Lil (Lillian) W. Shelton

December 28, 1930 - January 24, 2021

Lil (Lillian) W. Shelton

December 28, 1930 - January 24, 2021


Lil (Lillian) Weekley Shelton passed away due to a sudden illness unrelated to covid on January 24, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was a 50-year resident of Severna Park. Lil was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Lillian and Thomas Weekley.

She was the devoted wife of B. Vince Shelton for 66 and a half years. She was the loving mother of Lorie Hankins, Boots Shelton, Gary Shelton, and Glenn Shelton all from the Severna Park area. She was a caring mema to Christopher Hankins and Alison and Bill Steinmetz, Nick Shelton, Mimi and Emma Shelton, and Katelyn and Kendall Shelton.

In her spare time, Lil loved to garden and read. She loved watching her Alabama football team win National Championships. Watching the Ravens and Orioles games were a favorite pastime. Family vacations and travel were enjoyable to her. She was an active member of Severna Park United Methodist Church and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

She received a Bachelor's Degree in education from the University of Alabama and a Master’s Degree from the University of Richmond.

Lil began her career teaching PE in Dothan, Alabama where she met her husband. They started a family in Richmond, Virginia and then landed in Severna Park in 1971.

She was hired as a physical education teacher in 1972 at Severna Park High School. Here she was instrumental in bringing women’s sports into Anne Arundel County and fought for equality for the women. She coached the first softball team in 1973 and continued to coach for years. When she found some old field hockey sticks in the closet, a dynasty was born. She coached the first field hockey team at SPHS in 1975. 37 years later she and her ladies had amassed 31 county titles, 29 regional titles, and 20 state titles. Her teams played 616 games and had an 88.6 winning percent with a 63.6 shutout rate.

She founded SPARK indoor field hockey and Field Hockey Junior League. She co-founded the Maryland State Field Hockey Association and the Maryland State Games. All to promote growth in the game.

She was inducted into the Severna Park High School Hall of Fame, the Anne Arundel County Hall of Fame, and the National Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame. She was US Coach of the Year, and Coach of the Year for the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, and the Capital numerous times. Severna Park High School honored her by naming a field after her.

Although her teams were very successful, her greatest contribution was the influence she had on her girls. She held summer clinics where the older girls taught the younger ones in order to raise the skill level in the county and to promote the love of hockey. She established the Big Sister program where experienced high school players mentored the new players; not just about the sport but also in social and academic skills. She instilled confidence, sportsmanship, and leadership in young women that benefits them throughout life. Many of her players received scholarships but all of them came out better for spending time with Coach Shelton. She was humble about her on-field accomplishments but she would light up when she talked about ‘her ladies’.

She was a loving wife, mother, mema, and an inspiration to countless young ladies in the community. She will be sorely missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be given in Lil's honor and memory to one of the following organizations: the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department http://www.ehvfc.org/page/donate, the Severna Park United Methodist Church https://severnaparkumc.org/donate/, or the Susan G. Komen Foundation https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/ 

Due to the covid pandemic, there will be a private funeral service, followed by a drive by public visitation, where you will have the opportunity to pay your respects on Saturday, January 30th from 2-3pm at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146. Everyone must stay in their cars. The funeral home staff will provide assistance and direction. 

Lil (Lillian)'s Guestbook


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