Earnscell Hardeman Shelton

Earnscell Hardeman Shelton, New Lima resident, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at her home at the age of 89. She was born on April 28, 1936 to LC and Bessie (Jones) Hardeman. She grew up in the Wetumka and Lima areas. She attended Weisner Chapel School in Wetumka, OK. Earnscell married Sylvester Shelton in July 1958 in Sherman, TX. They had one daughter Lynett Griffis and several step-children. Sylvester and Earnscell moved to New Lima, OK in 1962.

Earnscell was baptized at an early age. She attended First Baptist Church in Lima where she was an usher and helped in the kitchen for several years until her health began to decline. She was ultimately the Mother of First Baptist Church for the past couple of years. Earnscell was employed by Claybrook Laundry in Wewoka, OK for 15 years. She also worked for Cornelius Engine for 18 years. She was one of the top saleswomen for Avon for 18 years.

Earnscell bowled with a league in Seminole, OK and Oklahoma City, earning All City Tournament and moving into State winning all events in Miami, OK and having a high score of 277 and 7 strikes in a row.

Earnscell was also busy helping to raise her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Earnscell is survived by her daughter, Lynett Griffis; three sisters-in-law, Anna Hardeman of Warner, OK, Odella Hardeman of Shawnee, OK and Wanda Hardeman of New Lima, OK; granddaughters and spouses, Karen and Shawn Murray of Midwest City, OK, Tina Griffis and Darrell Ramsey of New Lima, OK and Keshia Pickens and Shon Howell of Oklahoma City, OK; grandson, Jon and Kacey Griffis, and; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; special nieces, Gail Payne Ladonna Bruner, Steven and Reverend Hardeman; niece and nephew, Anthony Hardeman and Teresa Wilson; special cousins, Connie Carolina, Dena Carolina, Nancy Patterson, Roosevelt and Gloria Dunn, and Irvin Beavers; special friends, Johnette Stover, Tonya McIntire and Heather Jackson; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Earnscell was preceded in death by parents; husband, Sylvester Shelton and all of her siblings.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Scott Stewart. Nurse Jenni, Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Cohesive Hospice Care, Lee Ann, Christy and Patti, granddaughters- Karen Murray and Tina Griffis, great grandchildren – Chris and Liz Griffis, Magan and Tommy DeDraffenried, Breanna Griffis, great great grandchildren- Chris and Krissy, special friends, Avril Jabushi, Audrey Lewis, Chris Freeman, Hattie Talton and Yvette Talton and nephew, Steven Hardeman.

Those serving as casket bearers will be Lawrence Hardeman Jr., Terry Hardeman, Kevin Hardeman, Steven Hardeman, Terry Hardeman, Kerry Hardeman.

Honorary casket bearers Carlos Mitchell, Franklin Freeman, Mark Gordon and Eldridge Gordon.

Those serving as flower girls will be nieces, Sis. Latrease Posey and Sis. Colletta Davis.

Viewing will be Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, OK.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, OK. Interment will follow at Lima Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, OK.