Ferriday — For the students and faculty at Ferriday Junior High School, Mary Shelton will always be remembered for her smile.

“Anytime you saw her, she always had a smile on her face,” said Ferriday Junior High Principal Phyllis Cage.

Shelton, 61, died Monday at her house in Natchez from natural causes.

After Shelton retired from teaching at Morgantown Elementary School, Cage said she sought out Shelton to come teach English language arts classes at Ferriday Junior High.

“She helped the students to become more positive, build up their self-esteem and gave them confidence,” Cage said. “She believed in the students and believed in the school.”

Cage said Shelton originally taught sixth-grade students, but after seeing improved test scores in the students, she also assigned her to teach eighth-grade students.

Ruth Gray, who teaches seventh-grade social studies, said she knew Shelton prior to her arrival at Ferriday Junior High and that the school would not be the same without her.

“It’s amazing to see a woman like her that would make such a profound impact upon other students and faculty,” Gray said. “When you saw her she would light up, and you would light up just because of her presence.”

Arlene Richardson, who teaches seventh-grade English and reading, was Shelton’s ‘after lunch buddy’ since the duo shared a free period.

“I’m a better person for having known her,” Richardson said. “I’m going to miss my friend.”

Thelma Daniels, who is the eighth-grade connection teacher, said she received a big hug from Shelton on Friday before they left for the weekend.

“That was our last conversation on Friday, so when they told me (of her death) on Monday I was no good,” Daniels said. “But we all had to hang in, because of the children.”

An announcement to students was made Monday morning in the gym.

“It was like a dark cloud was over the school,” Cage said. “It was sad, very sad.”

After the announcement, Richardson said the campus was completely silent within 30 seconds.

Cage said students began making cards for the family as a form of counseling and to pay their last respects.

The kind gesture soon spread to other classrooms and Daniels said the cards served a dual purpose.

“My children said ‘we’re going to make the cards to let the family know that we loved her and we’re also making the cards because that helps us tell her how we loved her,’” Daniels said. “I couldn’t say anything after they said that.”

A viewing will be Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cannonsburg.