Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 3, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Adrienne Tsantes Shelton, 60, fell asleep in the Resurrected Lord on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer.  

Adrienne, a first generation Greek-American, was born into a loving family with two incredible parents. Originally from Houston, Texas, her dad’s professional life moved the Tsantes family around the country during her childhood before finally settling in North Carolina in the late 1970’s.

Adrienne met her husband, Tim, in Greensboro in the late 80’s and they were married in 1989 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte.  They lived in Greensboro until the untimely passing of Adrienne’s Father, John Tsantes, in May of 1994. Following that tragedy, Adrienne and Tim moved to Charlotte to live with her mom, Marie. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and taught in elementary schools for over thirty years before her retirement in 2022.  She was known as an innovator and an advocate in the classroom, always focusing on what was best for her students.  Adrienne received her National Board Certification and served on the National Paideia Staff which brought certification to her beloved Providence Spring Elementary.  Her legacy as an educator will live on for generations. 

In her adult years, Adrienne attended Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, in Charlotte.  She was active in the outreach society, Philoptochos, and taught Sunday School.  Following in the footsteps of her dad who was a member and officer of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Adrienne proudly served as President for the Daughters of Penelope Venus Chapter in Charlotte.  Her church friends in Charlotte, and elsewhere, as well as her relatives, contributed to her strong faith and pride in being a Greek American.  Adrienne was also known for enthusiastically supporting her two children and all their many interests and activities. 

Adrienne had many loves, but few as strong as her family, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Basketball.  Like her parents, she would easily and immediately light up any space she entered because of her selflessness, her unconditional love, her infectious smile, her sincere empathy, and her immense joy.  Adrienne was known for being as hospitable as her mother and her aunts and loved to entertain guests.  She was a mother and a mentor to many, always wanting the best for everyone.  Adrienne’s bright light will forever shine in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. 

The family would like to offer their deepest gratitude to the staff at Atrium’s Levine Cancer Institute and especially to Adrienne’s loving and dedicated Oncology team: Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh, Kim Grazier, Jeff Adams, and Loula Kontoulas.  The family also sends their appreciation and love to the nurses and staff of Carolinas Medical Center 4T for their incredible service and devotion to Adrienne during her final weeks on the Earth. 

Adrienne is survived by her husband, Tim; her children, John and Marisa; her brother, Keith Tsantes and his wife, Ashley and their children, Sophia and Evan; her best friend and sister, Amy (Garrett) Hogan; countless cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and loved ones.  She was predeceased by her parents, John and Marie Tsantes, her in-laws, Charles and Louise Shelton, her sister, Diedre Brayall, many aunts, uncles, and her cousin Chris. 

Funeral Services for Adrienne will be held at Noon on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends prior to the service at the Cathedral beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.  A makaria (Mercy Meal) will take place in the Fr. “C” Hall at Holy Trinity following the interment.  The service will also be livestreamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/165729/457c79a80e for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, Adrienne requested that donations may be offered in her memory to the St. Hermione Home, P.O. Box 79177, Charlotte, NC 28271 (https://www.sthhome.com/) or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Attn: Altar Fund, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. 

May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.