Lara Lea Shelton

Funeral services for Mrs. Lara Lea Shelton will begin at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home chapel with the Reverends Dr. Richard Wallace, Dr. Marcus Finch, and Joey Shelton officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Shelton, 53, of Meridian, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Rush Foundation Hospital of Meridian.

Lara , who was affectionately known as "MiMi" by her grandchildren, was a caregiver with a servant's heart and worked over 33 years as a Registered Nurse. She was currently an RN with Diversicare of Meridian. Lara loved nursing and all that came with it; especially giving exceptional care to her patients. She was a volunteer childcare worker with MOPs, where she gave of her time for over four years. She has many adopted children whom she loved dearly; children were also one of her passions. She was a photographer and loved photographing her family and friends at any given time. She always had her camera in hand ready to capture both good times and bad. She was an animal lover, with many pets too many to mention, a love which she received from her dad who owned a pet store in her childhood. She was always there for her family when they needed her; their biggest supporter. Lara was a member of Hebron Baptist Church where she served in the media ministry. Lara and Purvis recently celebrated their 35th Anniversary and were together over 37 years.

Mrs. Lara is survived by her loving husband; Purvis Shelton, Sr; their children Renatta Smallwood (Wes); Tori Hiatt (David), Wade Shelton (Brianna Entrekin), Mollie Shelton, and Gabby Shelton. Grandchildren Sophie Hiatt, Weston Smallwood, Huntley Hiatt, Emmalouise Smallwood, and Lorelai Hiatt. Siblings Sharon Davis and Chris James (Tia); sisters-in-law Kathy Rutledge (Steve), Jane Shelton (Ronnie), Nancy Groves (Clint), and Judy Yancey (Michael) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Lara is preceded in death by her father Fred James, his wife, Mitzi; her mother, Lea Johnson; step-father, John Headley; and her mother and father-in-law Mollie and Jasper Shelton; one niece, Christine Vicnair; and one brother-in-law Jimmy Davis.

Pallbearers will be her nephews, Andy Miles, Josh Gunter, Marcus Davis, Jon Davis, Chris Rutledge, and Wesley Boykin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Drew Yancey and Shane McInerney.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Shelton family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the funeral home.