By: Allison Flexner, Development Communications Manager 

At 102 years old, Ethel Shelton still volunteers, has a sharp wit and tells it like it is. When asked what inspired her to help others, she said matter-of-factly, “I’ve been doing this all my life, it needed to be done.” 

To this day, she continues to serve others at the Rome-Floyd County Community Kitchen. “I think God must still have a plan for me that I don’t know of, that’s why I’m still hanging around here,” Shelton said.

Before moving to Rome, Georgia, she said she spent years serving with the American Red Cross of Illinois. Starting in the late 1970s, Shelton recalled helping staff Red Cross blood drives in the Greater Chicago Chapter. She also said she procured yarn donations and worked with a group of women who knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories for the Red Cross, selling them to raise money for the organization. 

Shelton recently donated her Red Cross volunteer apron to the Red Cross office in Rome where she has lived for the past decade. She moved there because her sons didn’t want her living by herself. “So, I came here and lived by myself,” she quipped. Shelton only moved into a senior living facility a few weeks ago.

At the age of 17, she attended nursing school, graduated and went on to work as a registered nurse. Once, she was called in to work a night shift on a floor by herself at a small general hospital. She didn’t know the patients, which didn’t seem of much concern to the staff. They gave her a list of names and their medicines to dispense. “I took a flashlight with me and woke them all up to verify their names,” she said with a knowing laugh. Determined, she always finds a way.

In addition to volunteering with the Red Cross, she has served other local community groups, church groups and a wellness committee. When she was in high school, she taught Sunday school to a group of 10-year-old girls and took them on bicycle rides throughout the week. She chuckled in disbelief that the mothers trusted her. 

Shelton was born Ethel Louisa Phile in Philadelphia in 1921. The world was emerging from the turmoil of WWI and the most severe pandemic in recent history. Women had just gained the right to vote, although it would be another 45 years before African Americans had that right enshrined in the Constitution.

The stock market crashed in 1929 when she was only eight, giving way to the Great Depression. As Shelton said, “Everyone was poor.” In her senior year of high school, somehow, through her ingenuity, she found a way to take five teenage girls and five teenage boys Christmas shopping to buy gifts for their families so they could learn the value of doing something for others. 

“It was just the will, wanting to do something. I hope they remembered as they got older,” she said. “You go to bed that night feeling pretty good about it.”

She grew up in New Jersey with a younger and older sister. Her parents studied music, which became a big part of her life. She joined one church choir at age 58, which she called old. One Christmas she had to sub in for a solo when she considered herself best placed as a member of the chorus.

“She was a soprano, I was an alto,” she said. “You just do some things,” acknowledging she may not have hit all the high notes but she did what was needed.

She and her husband, who is deceased, raised two boys, one now 80 and the other 76. They gave her seven grandchildren and she has 16 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 8 to 30. She has knitted them all sweaters.

Shelton’s had more than her fair share of broken bones in her 90s due to a series of falls. Yet, she hasn’t had a serious illness since she was a nursing student. She is in good health and looks it.

When asked what’s your secret? Without missing a beat, she responded, “If I knew it, I’d sell it.”  A woman nearby where she lives said, “I’d buy it.” I think we all would. 

JOIN US ─ VOLUNTEER. Nationally, volunteers represent more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce providing comfort and relief in the face of emergencies.

While volunteers of all types are needed, the Red Cross has a critical need for three specific positions. These roles are a great fit for those who are team-oriented and want to make an immediate difference. Free online training will be provided. 

• As a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer, people can be a source of refuge and comfort for neighbors when they need it most. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.
• As a Shelter Services volunteer, people can support the day-to-day activities within an emergency shelter. This includes helping residents in different shelter areas such as reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or others.
• As a Disaster Health Services volunteer, people can use your professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands-on care to people in shelters. Volunteers also provide additional support including health assessments, health education and much more.

Just like the people served by the Red Cross, the organization is proud its volunteers represent a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, ages, gender identities, lifestyles and beliefs. Everyone is welcome.

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.