Esther Emma Pim Shelton, age 102, went to be with the Lord and joined the angels' choir on Friday, March 31, 2023. She passed away peacefully in her home in Dade City, Florida where her two daughters, Pat Bessken and Mary Pruett, and son-in-law Chuck Pruett were caring for her. Esther Emma Pim was born on February 16, 1921 in Alliance, Ohio. Her parents were Willard Loren Pim and Lena Crew Pim. She had two older brothers, Loren and Norman, and two younger brothers, Merle, who passed away at 2 years of age, and, Joel who passed away at birth. Her mother, Lena, also passed away at that time. Esther was 7 years old. A year later her father married Blanche Stratton. In 1935 her family moved to Bushnell, Florida, and Esther started high school where she played the tuba in the band and played on the girls' basketball team. When the family chose to move back to Ohio during her senior year, she chose to stay and lived with her Uncle Edgar and Aunt Nellie Barthelemy and family. After graduating from Bushnell High School, she worked two part time jobs as tax assessor and tax collector. Her cousin, Emma, introduced her to her boyfriend's best friend, James W. Shelton. After dating for some time, they began to make plans to marry. Those plans were interrupted by World War II. James (Wilmer as he was known by his family) went to serve in the Army. Esther enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Corps where she played the sousaphone in the band. They traveled and played at military events, parades, and later met the ships bringing home the soldiers at the end of the war. She was in the parade that greeted the ship in New York that brought James home. In 1946 they were married at the Shelton's farm and lived in Bushnell. He worked for a company that contracted work for Sumter Electric Company and she worked for a title company. In 1947 James became the first lineman for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, and they moved to Dade City, Florida. They started their family and had two daughters, Patricia and Mary. During that time they bought land and built a house that they moved into in 1950. In 1953 Esther volunteered as secretary at First United Methodist Church. In 1956 Rev. Harold Miller asked her to be the full-time secretary. She filled many positions over the years besides being the secretary. She was the financial secretary for 33 years, treasurer for 12 years, pianist, Sunday School teacher, member of the choir for over 50 years, delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years, played with the bell choir, played with a brass quartet, was an active member of UMW and more! She retired the first time in 1986 but was recalled two more times to fill in while they were looking for replacements. After the third time she decided to stay part time and later as a volunteer until her mid-nineties. Esther continued to attend church every week into her late nineties until Covid kept her away. She supported many charities. She was a faithful servant. Esther is survived by her daughters, Patricia Bessken of Tampa, FL; Mary Pruett (Chuck) of Dade City, FL; grandchildren William J. Pruett of Dade City, FL; and Robert A. Pruett (Amy) of Webster, FL; great-grandchildren Dillen Ivins of GA, Kaylin Anderton of Dade City, FL; Chase and Blake Pruett of Webster, FL; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, James W. Shelton of Dade City, FL; her brothers Loren Pim, Salem, OH; Norman Pim, Salem, OH; Merle Pim, Alliance, OH; Joel Pim, Alliance, OH; and son-in-law, Greg Bessken of Tampa, FL. There will be a graveside service for the family on Friday, April 7th at 11:00 am at Floral Memory Gardens in Dade City, Florida. There will also be a Memorial Service on April 22nd at the First United Methodist Church in Dade City at 11:00 am followed by a reception in the Christian Life Center. Hodges Family Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Florida Methodist Childrens Home in Enterprise, Florida Gulfside Healthcare Services (Hospice) Graveside Service Floral Memory Gardens Friday, April 7, 2023 11:00 AM 37701 Clinton Avenue Dade City, Florida 33525