Johnnie Rae Shelton McHan

It is with deep sadness and loss that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Johnnie Rae Shelton McHan, of Vancleave, MS on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at the age of 76, surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren. Johnnie was born in Hot Springs, AR on March 5, 1943. She was a member of the Pearl MS High School class of 1961 and maintained online friendships with numerous classmates and friends from that period. Settling on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she worked many years for the Port of Pascagoula and as the Finance Officer for Jackson County Civic Action. After moving to Vancleave in 1977, Johnnie became a stay at home mom and a staunch Vancleave Dixie Youth Baseball supporter before rejoining the workforce by becoming the manager and bookkeeper for Vancleave Lumber. In the mid 90’s she left the workforce once more to help raise her grandchildren. Johnnie spent the last years of her life active on social media and following politics while maintaining her home and being a rock for her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Raymond and Sadie Rae Saxon McHan of Pearl, MS and her grandson, Nicholas McHan Turnage of Brandon, MS, as well as her former husband of 22 years, Dale H. Shelton, with whom she maintained a close friendship until his passing in 2015. Johnnie is survived by her children, Kimberly White, Christopher (Melissa Ely) Shelton, and Nicole Shelton (Mark) Bond all of Vancleave, MS; grandchildren, Joshua Shelton, Christopher Turnage, Matthew Turnage, Madison Shelton, and Layla Bond; sister, Betty Whatley Thornhill of Pearl, MS; and brother, Charles H. Whatley of Florence, MS; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as her treasured pet and companion, Lil Bit. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019 at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Vancleave #1 Cemetery.