Bro. Bob, Sis. Lizzie Shelton & an Arab girl.

Bro. Bob & Sis. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shelton

Bro. Bob Shelton was born in West Frankfort, IL on October 14, 1878.  Sis. Lizzie was born on December 1, 1881.  In 1909 Bro. Shelton received the Holy Ghost at a campmeeting in Bloomfield, IL.  He immediately began having prayer meetings.  Bro. Shelton and Bro. George Aubrey operated a boat called 'The Gospel Boat' along the Ohio River and in 1912, Bro. William Sowders received the Holy Ghost on the boat on the bank at Paducah, KY.  1916, Bro. Shelton, Bro. William Sowders, Bro. George Aubrey and Bro. Frank Knight, began having campmeetings in Olmsted, IL. Bro. Sowders had started having campmeetings at Elco, IL and Bro. Shelton was very involved there as well.
In 1916 Bro. Sowders began pastoring a church in Anna, IL, Bro. and Sis. Shelton were a great support to him there.  In the 1920's and 30's, Bro. & Sis. Shelton spent some time as missionaries in Palestine. In 1934, Bro. Shelton was in Olmsted, but Sis. Lizzie was still in Palestine.  Bro. Aubrey told Bro. Shelton that he should close the work in Palestine and bring Sis. Lizzie home.  Bro. Shelton, Bro. Aubrey and Bro. Jolly Knelt down to pray.  While praying Bro. Aubrey said: "I've got the Word of the Lord for you, Bro. Shelton."  Bro. Shelton said, "Alright, what is it?" Bro. Aubrey told him, "You go back to Palestine and get your wife, or send for her and come back to the states and settle here."  Bro. Shelton said, "Good is the Word of the Lord."  Bro. Jolly told them it would take about $400, and that he would drive Bro. Shelton to visit churches to raise the money.  Bro. Aubrey handed Bro. Shelton $100 and then Bro. Jolly and Bro. Shelton started on their trip.  They raised the money and brought Sis. Lizzie home.  Bro. Shelton passed away on June 23, 1948.  Bro. Sowders and Bro. Jolly both said that Bro. Shelton was a wonderful and very gentle man of God.  Sis. Lizzie passed away on October 12, 1963.

Bro. Sowders - standing far left. Bro. Shelton is standing next to him.

Bro. Shelton baptizing folks in the 1920's.

Bro. Sowders, Bro. Shelton, Bro. Jolly, Bro. James Sowders and other folks in 1930's at Dawson Springs, KY.

Bro. Shelton with saints at Olmsted, IL.

Bro. Shelton worked with Bro. Sowders here at Elco, IL campground.