Journee Elianna Shelton

Journee Elianna Shelton, age five months, of Danville, Virginia passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, at the University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville, VA. She had been hospitalized and in declining health since her birth on August 30, 2024, in Danville. She was born to Aaliyah Covington and Chris Shelton.

Journee spent a short time on this earth, but she will be missed by all that were touched by her presence here. Left to mourn the passing of Journee include her parents, as well as her sister, Paris Shelton and aunt, Sidney Caulder. She will also be missed by her grandparents, Lisa Charmello, Cynthia Covington, Peyton Shelton, Kelly Edwards, and Gene Carroll.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her doctors, nurses and other caretakers for the last five months.

A funeral service honoring Journee’s life will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Norris Funeral Service, West End Chapel, 511 Church Ave. Danville, Virginia. Burial followed at Danville Memorial Gardens.

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, West End Chapel is serving the family.

**The Journey of Journee**

Journee may have only been with us for five short months, but in that time, she showed us a

strength and spirit that could never be measured. From the very beginning, Journee fought so

hard to be here, facing each procedure and surgery with a smile that lit up the room. No matter

what she endured, her beautiful little face would break into a smile—an infectious smile that

made even the hardest days a little easier. She especially loved smiling for her daddy, and you

could see the bond they shared in those precious moments. Her smile would light up even more

when he was near, showing just how much she loved him. Her daddy’s love and presence

brought her comfort in ways words can’t express.

Journee’s love for life shone brightly, and she had a special bond with all who met her. The

doctors and nurses who cared for her often found themselves amazed by her. She was a fighter

in the truest sense—always surprising everyone with her strength and sass. It was as if she had

other plans in mind, and no matter how hard the doctors worked, she sometimes had them

scratching their heads. Her heart defect may have been challenging, but she was always one

step ahead, making the medical team think harder and work with more care than ever before.

And, oh, how she made them think.

Journee also had her quirks, just like any little one. She loved Disney Jr., especially Bluey. The

moment that theme song started playing, it was as though the whole world stopped for her. Her

eyes would light up, and you could see her focus all her energy on the characters, especially

when the song played. There was nothing quite like seeing her smile as she listened to it. Bluey

was more than just a show to Journee—it was a source of pure joy and comfort, something that

never failed to bring her happiness.

And, oh, that sass! Journee was full of drama, and the nurses and doctors loved every second

of it. She loved her binky and was growing so good at keeping it in her mouth all on her own.

But if she wasn’t happy with something, you’d see her little hands reaching for her feeding tube

or yanking off her oxygen mask with a determination that would make anyone laugh. She liked

things her way—and everyone who cared for her quickly learned to keep up with her. She loved

being the center of attention, and there was no doubt about it. She made sure her presence was

known, and anyone who met her couldn’t help but fall in love with her spirit.

And as her mom, I remember how I was the one who started rocking her to calm her down. It

was something only I could do just right, and soon the nurses learned to rock her bed in the

same way. She needed that rhythm to feel at ease, and it was our special way of comforting

her. Her little face would soften when she felt that motion, and we knew that in those moments,

she was truly at peace. Journee had very specific preferences. She liked to be swaddled

tight—really tight—and if she wasn’t, she would let you know and no one could forget how she

loved her little bottom patted aggressively—because that was one of the ways she would settle

down. Every movement, every little gesture had to be just right, and you could see the look on

her face when she got it. She may have been small, but she certainly had a big personality.

Journee always had a bow in her hair, and it was one of the cutest things about her. No matter

the day or the situation, there was always a perfect bow to top off her little swaddle, making her

even more precious than she already was. It was one of those small, sweet details that

reminded us of her beauty, her innocence, and how she made every moment feel like a

treasure.

In the short time Journee was with us, she left an impact on everyone she met, even those who

never got to hold her hand. Her presence was felt deeply. Journee had a way of making people

stop, think, and appreciate the preciousness of life, the beauty of each moment. Whether she

was fighting through yet another challenge or making everyone laugh with her sass, she had a

way of making the world around her feel more alive.

Journee was, and always will be, loved by so many—those who knew her and those who only

knew her through stories. Her story is one of pure love, fierce courage, and an unbreakable

spirit. And now, as we remember her, we carry that love with us, honoring her by the way we

live.

When you wear red, think of Journee and the incredible battle she fought with her heart defect.

When you wear white, think of her innocence and the purity of the joy she brought into the

world. When you wear gold, remember how she now has eternal life, free from pain, surrounded

by love and light. Journee’s spirit will always be with us, guiding us through each day.

And no matter where we go, what we wear, or what we do, we know one thing for sure:

“The Journee never ends”