Letha Kilpatrick Shelton, 87, of Oneonta, formerly of Walton went to her Heavenly Home on Sept. 13th.

She was born on Feb. 26, 1921 to Joseph and Mildred (DuMond) Kilpatrick; the youngest of six children. She lived most of her life in the Walton & Trout Creek area. She was nicknamed "Bob" by her favorite friend--her father Joe. Letha was predeased by her siblings. She had three brothers & two sisters. Millard (and Florence) Kilpatrick, Herm (and Margaret) Kilpatrick and David Kilpatrick. Her sisters were Velma (and Jim)Alger and Phemie (and Fred) Biedekapp.

Letha graduated from Walton HS and worked as a cashier at McLean's Grocery Store and the Victory Market. She married Anthony Sziwack. They had 1 daughter, Cyndi. Both predeased her. Letha went to work at Bendix-Scintilla in Sidney, marrying Perry Shelton of Trout Creek. She worked there for many years before retiring. Later in life, she married Ralph Odell, who predeased her. Letha's

greatest love was her family, especially her many nieces and nephews and her beloved grandchildren. She taught us to work hard, play hard and to pray everyday. She always put the needs of others before her own.

She is survived by six grandchildren. Tonda ( and Tim) Fuller of Carlisle,PA; Kyle (and Donna) Tompkins of Hanover,PA; Terrina (and Rob) LaTourette of Oneonta, NY; Jim (and Lynn) Lame of Ogdensburg, NJ; Mickey(and Stephanie) Onder of NJ and Chas of North Carolina. She has 12 great grandchildren. Her only surviving cousin of many is Elizabeth (Merv) Conklin. Letha, who was known affectionately as "Aunt Lee" by her many nieces & nephews and their families & friends, was loved by all.

She had a near death car accident as a teenager, resulting in a long, painful recovery from a broken back. It may have been that, that led to her ever-present state of optimism and gratitude toward life. She never complained of life's circumstances and loved

and saw the good in everyone. She chose to not judge others. Her zest for life was evident in her work ethic, her passion to dance and sheer delight in socializing with others. People were her hobby. She had a mischievous smile & twinkling eyes that were the pathways to her soul. She gratefully thanked the Lord for her bountiful blessings and never took them for granted.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Thursday, September 18, 2008 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home 25 Townsend St. Walton where services will be held at 1 PM. Burial will follow in Walton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-Memorial, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or Otsego County Office of the Aging, The Meadows Complex

Suite - 5, 140 Co. Hwy. 33W

Cooperstown, NY 13326