Nyoka Shelburne

Nyoka Shelburne, age 80, of Elizabethton, Tennessee went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at her home. Nyoka was born in Elizabethton to the late Earl Albert Oliver and Mary Lee (Wright) Folsom. In addition to her parents, Nyoka was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Silas Shelburne; her daughter, whom she missed terribly, Kathy Jo Shelburne; a sister, Joann (Tom) Vinson; a brother, Warren Oliver; two nephews, Mike Pierce and Richard Shelburne; two sisters-in-law, Freida Oliver and Carol (Bobby) Smith; and a brother-in-law, Bill Shelburne.

Nyoka was a wonderful lady and very intelligent. She had been employed within the Senate as an administrative assistant and was a member of Pleasant Beach Baptist Church. Nyoka loved sun- tanning and being by the pool. She also enjoyed playing poker, playing cards with her granddaughter, and reading.

Nyoka leaves behind a legacy of beauty and faith and a love for all that were blessed to know her.
Those left to remember and cherish Nyoka’s many precious memories include her daughter, Debbie Mariano of Elizabethton; her granddaughter, Jessie Shaffer of Harrisburg, PA; two great grandchildren, Juleyan and Madelyn Shaffer; her sister, Loretta (Dean) Pierce of Elizabethton; three brothers, Albert (Patty) Oliver, Richard (Phyllis) Oliver and Charles Oliver all of Elizabethton; two sisters-in-law, Pam (Richard) Campbell of Elizabethton and Carole Shelburne of Georgia; and five “surrogate” daughters, Carla, Lisa, Cindy, Gina and Bobbie. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and neighbors also survive.

A service to celebrate Nyoka’s life will be conducted at 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Pastor Mark Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM in the funeral home chapel prior to the service on Saturday.

The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

Words of comfort can be sent to the Shelburne family through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 542-2232 is honored to serve the family of Nyoka Shelburne.