Memorial
LISA JOY
LISA JOY SHELTON
Lisa Joy Shelton, 60, beloved wife of Mark Shelton, stepped into glory on January 7th, 2020, after fighting a long, courageous battle with stage iv lung cancer. She was born on March 23rd, 1959 in Randolph, Vermont, to the Reverend John and Ruth Genco. She had one daughter, Johna Ruth Saltsman, whom she deeply loved; and a stepson, Barry Shelton, who she claimed as her own and loved him greatly and proudly. Upon her passing Lisa was surrounded in love by her husband, Mark; and daughter, Johna; her sister Lori Jo Gardner and Lori’s husband, Glenn. Lisa is also survived by her brother Stephen Genco who was very precious to her. She was predeceased by her childhood companion, Mr. Bojangles, a brilliant English Springer Spaniel. (She loved that dog.) As always, Lisa displayed great conviction and strength as she walked through gates of Heaven into the Kingdom of God.
LISA JOY
Lisa de Cristo
There will never be enough words to describe the gift that God gave to the world in the life of Lisa Joy Shelton. Born Lisa Genco, her life was defined by the joy she brought to the world, the example of a woman of faith and service to all around her. Her beauty unmatched and her spirit shining bright every day of her life. A link to her memorial page is here: https://www.curtis-britch.com/obituary/lisa-shelton Everyone around her, and those who met her for a moment, were greatly influenced by the love of God radiating from her presence.
A man of great faith, Mark’s motivation to prominently enter the Elvis Tribute Artist world, is led by a deep and powerful conviction. Three days after they were wed, Mark’s bride, Lisa, was diagnosed with stage iv lung cancer. A terminal sentence the couple have relied on their faith and trust in God to navigate this journey. One day upon this path Mark asked Lisa what she would like to do in the time the Lord allowed them to share together. Mark offered her vacations, but Lisa stated that she always wanted to see Mark sing the music of Elvis in a jumpsuit like he did in high school. Mark then began working to trim his weight down from over 385 to 215 pounds in about a year and put on the show of a lifetime. The show was a sell out and requests began pouring in for Mark to perform Elvis Tributes in other venues.
All the proceeds from the concerts went to help Lisa’s medical fund.
During her youth, Lisa was a featured vocalist with the “Genco Family Singers”. In her 15 years with this group they recorded 5 LP albums. Her soft yet powerful, sweet, rich, and excellent voice filled the churches as she travelled with her family throughout Northeastern United States and Canada, for television performances; and for various Christian organizations (including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes which resulted in a trip to visit the Dallas Cowboy organization in the times of legendary Coach Tom Landry and Hall of Fame Quarterback Roger Staubach). As part of the Genco Family singers she also traveled Haiti and to England to perform in churches and other venues. It was a very sweet and special time of her life of which she enjoyed greatly.
Lisa Joy (Genco) Shelton eventually married the man whom she referred to as the “love and joy” of her life, Mark Shelton. Mark and Lisa became world renown, performing over 2,000 shows throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Their evident love for one another; love and testament for God, and high level of performances were lauded across the globe inspiring any and all who saw the two together. Lisa’s smiling at her husband, Mark, during his performances, were as popular as the shows themselves. Of her husband Lisa stated, “I thank God every day for this man in my life.” The two were inseparable and stood strong together throughout her fight against cancer until the day she walked into the light of heaven.
Lisa loved dearly her family and her Italian roots. Her youth was filled with love and laughter and she fondly recalled times with her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, especially Aunt Eva, and her Uncle Lawrence Genco, Uncle Peter (Chick) Genco and Aunt Renie; and her memorable cousin, Rolie. She relished in her times spent with this loving group and joyously spent hours penning letters to many of her relatives. Lisa was an avid writer and insisted on the proper etiquette of sending thank you notes for each and every good deed and kindness sent her way.
Each Christmas Mark would ask Lisa what she wanted for Christmas. She would always say that she wanted farm animals to be sent to Africa. The best look anyone could ever see was on Christmas morning Lisa would open a box with a card in it saying that cows, chickens, goats, rabbits and lambs were donated in her name. Tears would be running down her eyes. She was an amazing woman.
One year Mark asked and she said she wanted a well in Africa. She always had such a heart for people and her presence was always a reminder how great Heaven must be. Mark told her he’d investigate the projects. Narrowing down the options, as Lisa wanted a group that brought the Word of God and helped the people. The projects came down to needing between $15,000 to have a freshwater well dug in Africa. Mark told her he would start the project and promise her that we would see it through.
On January 7, 2020, Lisa Joy (Genco) Shelton transitioned through Heaven’s Glory. The world grew ever so dimmer at that time. Within two months, the Corona Virus was just beginning to shut down the world. In less than thirty days, isolation protocols were required and no one knew what was going on. The world forever changed.
Mark was singing on Facebook Live to bring life into people’s homes. As Mark puts it, “I knew people were alone, possibly afraid, certainly uncertain, and isolation can be difficult. Facebook Live concerts was a way to connect the people to the people and help them not feel alone and hopefully hear some good songs and encouraging words.”
Mark sang a minimum of 3 times a week, every week for nearly three years in the same manner. Tuesday nights were “any type of music” concerts; Friday nights were all Elvis Nights; and Sundays at 10 a.m. were the Gospel concerts. At the height of the isolation ten thousand and more people around the world were watching Mark’s performances on Facebook Live. Mark bore his grief in front of the world while singing his songs to them as the shelves behind him held photographs and memories of his beloved bride.
Mark still had a promise to keep to Lisa and the world had shut down. There were no concert halls open, no gathering place, no musical or artistic or spiritual gatherings in public. And someone recommended that Mark let Lisa’s wish be known to the Facebook Live Community. Mark took their advice and within 6 months over $20,000 was raised! Mark contacted LifeWater International and the organization began to dig a Waterwell in Uganda, Africa for a community of 312. For the Lifewater article follow this link: https://lifewater.org/blog/this-is-a-story-of-gods-faithfulness/
Even more a blessing is that along with a water well, the donation also led to a school and a church being built in the community as well as educational services and training on hygiene, water usage, and maintenance of the well itself. Additional blessings came as other groups began to purchase farm animals for Africa in Lisa’s name and memory!
We intend to continue Lisa’s dream and have partnered more deeply with Lifewater to continue raising money and awareness. If you would like to donate to the next well, please follow the following link. All the proceeds will go for the next water well in honor and memory of Lisa Joy Shelton ~ Thank you and God bless~
TO DONATE TO THE NEXT WATER WELL IN AFRICA PLEASE CLICK HERE ~
Current amount to date
Video of Mark and Lisa singing “Something Stupid” ~ https://youtu.be/PvWkpPFsNfQ?si=Fd05mskrVHj6GK2R
Video of Mark and Lisa singing “I’ve Got You Babe” ~ https://youtu.be/qbdlthjYZL4?si=QiCDTY5k_YoXcBU2
Mark Shelton sings Kenny Rogers “Lady” for his Lady Lisa : https://youtu.be/6qx4aZM1WAU?si=ExfAFktYg9yIu7Oe
Lisa Shelton was an incredible vocalist. She was a trained coloratura soprano and auditioned for the prestigious Julliard School in New York City. She toured with the “America’s Youth in Concert” 1976 program performing in magnificent and historic venues such as Carnegie Hall as well as a tour in Europe where the group performed in the Royal Albert Hall in London, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, in Geneva, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence and the Vatican in Rome.
Lisa was a 1977 graduate of North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont, and was an avid theatrical performer landing lead roles in Guys and Dolls, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Risen with Christ; and she was an instrumentalist in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. She was part of the King’s College Concert Choir and Oratorio Chorus, The Chamber Singers of Gordon College, The Gordon College Choir and the Park Street Church Choir of Boston Massachusetts. She sang in the Northeastern Vermont, All-State and New England Choir Festivals as well as Northsong (choral group in Newport, Vermont). Lisa Shelton was also a highly popular wedding soloist.
Lisa attended the King’s College in Briarcliff Manor in New York in 1978 before transferring and being graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts in 1981. She was on the Dean’s List and participated in the Drama Club, Choirs, and Student Government. She taught music a Bellows Falls Middle School, North Country Junior High School, United Christian Academy and substituted in various schools in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to include North Country Union High School and Newport Elementary School. She was a member of the Smithsonian and the Music Educators National Conference. She was the co-director of music at the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Junior and Senior High School Girl’s Conference. Lisa had a host of hobbies to include art, poetry, photography, French, and outside sports.
Lisa Shelton was exceptionally active in local churches. She was the adult choir director of the Derby United Church, the Morgan Church, and the Church of God in Newport. She created Vacation Bible School themes and curriculum. She also taught Sunday School and directed numerous children’s choirs and gospel theater productions. One of the lasting memories is her creation, construction, operation and performance of hand puppets for her vacation Bible School. She provided seminars on Vacation Bible School Direction, Themes, Decoration and Design.
Lisa Shelton was also a popular private music teacher focusing on voice, piano and guitar. Lisa has left a legacy, a “Lisa’s Opus” as you will, of hundreds of students who have proudly attributed their skillful performances and joy of music were strongly encouraged and were influenced by Lisa Joy (Genco) Shelton. Among those is counted and no other more greatly featured than those of her cherished daughter, Johna. The same stories and admiration have been shared by many adults who participated in one of the many choir festivals of which Lisa Shelton directed.
Lisa lived by her faith from the moment she entered the world. She had a love and commitment of the Lord, Jesus Christ, from the instant of awareness to the present day. She had a great love for life and throughout her life she enjoyed making people happy. She was likely one of the most beautiful women that has ever lived. Yet as beautiful as she was physically, her character and spirit were even more beautiful. She radiated grace and love. Her smile beyond infectious and her elegance and class beyond compare. Lisa Shelton was loved deeply. She reflected her faith and love of God in all situations. She was an inspiration to all who met her and truly became an inspiration to the world.
