Irma Jean Shelton-Hopson

Celebration of Life and Legacy of

Irma Jean Shelton-Hopson

August 10, 1950- April 13, 2026

Irma Jean Shelton-Hopson obtained her Angel Wings and went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 13, 2026. She was born on August 10, 1950 in Burlington, Texas to James Carl Leon Shelton and Norma Jean Benson-Shelton. She was the third of ten children. Irma (Jean) accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a very young age at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of her Grandfather, the late Reverend Henry Harrison. Her Grandmother, the late Emma Harrison was well known traveling Evangelizing Psalmist.

Irma was playing the piano by age three strictly by ear. She loved to play the piano and to sing. Irma was Blackshear Band Sweetheart in 1965. Her favorite color was orange. She loved being out in the sun, as well as, making arts and crafts.

Irma graduated from Ector Senior High School in 1968 at the tender age of 16. She was a member of her high school band where she played the trombone. She then relocated to Lubbock, Texas to attend Draughon’s Business College where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Fashion, Modeling, Merchandising, and Business Administration.

Irma united in holy matrimony to Donnie Williams Hopson on March 28, 1970. From that union, came their two children, a son, Ashley Shelton-Hopson(deceased), and a daughter, Evangelist Heather Michelle Hopson. Irma began her career in Business Administration for a local Lubbock company.

Irma is preceded in death by both her maternal and paternal grandparents, then her father James Carl Leon Shelton, her mother, Norma Jean Benson-Shelton, her son, brother, Larry Dean Shelton, Ashley Shelton Hopson, her sisters, Johnnie Ray Shelton, Elvie Mae “Moochie” Harris, Emma Jewel Hunter, her baby brother, LeRoy Alexander Shelton and uncle Mr. Robert Menton of Caldwell, Texas.

Irma is survived by her daughter, Evangelist Heather Michelle Hopson (Odessa, Tx.), her sisters, Jerline Comer (Fort. Worth, Tx.), Mary Ann Jackson-Maxey (Anthony of Long Beach, California), Carl E. Shelton (Ella of Austin, Tx.), and Betty J. Shelton-Medlock. and a host of nieces and nephews.

Irma also had a loving church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Odessa, Texas for years, under the leadership of former Pastor Reverend Roy Gentry and Pastor William “Bill” Tatum, where she was the Church musician, as well as, served as a faithful servant.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 PM, Friday, April 24, 2026 at Mount Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Arvin D. Medlock, Eulogist: Elder Carl E. Shelton, Jr., Pastor Gene Collins and Host Pastor: Pastor Isaiah D. Tunson. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be: Arthur Hunter, Michael Hunter, Arvin D. Medlock, Jeffery William Harris, Shawnacee Powell-Harris, Courtney DeShawn McBride, Quinton Allison.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Steve Odell Harris, Victor Lamar Harris, Chris Andre Harris, Allan Carter, Reggie Jackson, Ralph D. Hunter and Jason LaCarl Shelton. 

2 Corinthians 5:8 states:

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."