Ruth Ellen Shelpman

May 7th, 1937, in Springville, New York, Milton Moore Yost and Ruth Smith Yost welcomed Ruth Ellen into their home. When she was 3 years old, she saw a picture of Jesus in Gethsemane. She asked her mother why Jesus was so sad. Her mother answered: “because Jesus was going to "die for our sins". Little Ruthie knew she sinned. She knelt down behind the rocking chair and asked Jesus to save her.

Three years later, sister Lydia Grace joined them. The big event of their childhood occurred May 13th, 1959, when the Milton Yost family boarded a Belgian freighter headed for the Congo, a venture of faith based on God's call and what Ruth's brother Laban had sketched out for them. They were to meet him in-land at Kikwit. So began 6 years of being a missionary kid(MK).  Furlough time, 1955, Ruthie would be staying in the States for her education. God chose Cedarville College for her.

She graduated in 1949 with a degree in English and Music. Thru prayer Ruth asked, "Did God want her to become missionary or stay in the States"? God answered with Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God... In spite of her misgivings about her ability to teach and her status as a “single missionary", she said "yes" That is why she encouraged young people to answer God's call whatever it may be, it leads to a wonderful fulfillment.

After graduation, Ruth went to Brussels and Paris to study French. Ruth returned to the states to attend The State University of New York in Buffalo, where she received her Master’s degree in Education. After study, since the Baptist Mid Missions pulled out of Congo, her adventures took her to Haiti to Jacmel to the Hosanna Baptist School.

In 2001, a new direction loomed up when cancer took co-worker Rachel Metzler to heaven. Ruth was asked to take over the family that Rachel and her sister Evelyne had fostered which included 10 young people. Thus she inherited a beautiful Haitian family. God gave them a father in 2003 when Ruth married Dr. Roy Shelpman. Then she entered into the great Shelpman clan of three sons and three daughters with their spouses and children! Roy and Ruth served as parents for the 10 foster children and provided pastoral services for Maranatha Baptist Church in Grande Goave. Because of an earthquake in 2010, Roy and Ruth left Haiti and returned to the states but visited Haiti as often as possible.

In 2017, Roy passed away. Ruth stayed in the states but continued to help with the financial support of her Haitian family with Baptist Mid Missions. Ruth Ellen Yost Shelpman is survived by her sweet little doggy Tifi, sister Lydia Karr, nephews Keith and Mark Karr and niece Kim Andrews. Also by her stepchildren, Kitty Shelpman, Scott Shelpman, Cheri Shelpman McAlpine (David), Miriam Shelpman Depew(Jon), Joshua Shelpman (Christine). Also surviving 13 grandchildren Timothy, Rebecca, Rachel, James, Nate, Caleb, John, Trevor, Micah, Elora, Ayden, Adeline, Brycen and 10 great grandchildren Levi, Lilyanna, Graham, Stella, Henry, Hayden, Carter, Mazie, Eva, Adelina.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870