Frankie Shelton, AAF, AIFD, PFCI
Frankie Shelton, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, an internationally recognized designer, pioneering floral educator and 1989 recipient of the Society of American Florists’ Tommy Bright award, died July 15. She was 99.
Shelton was a distinguished leader in the industry, guiding numerous associations and organizations, and molding the careers of individual students who attended the Shelton White School of Floral Design, where she was educational director.
She was also a designer for U.S. presidents. She decorated the White House four times at Christmas and was one of the decorators for former Vice President George H. Bush’s home in 1985. She also served as the chair of the Inaugural design teams for President Ronald Reagan in 1985 and President Bush in 1989.
Her roots, however, were as a retail florist. She owned and operated her Houston shop for 18 years, selling it in 1977.
Shelton was also a fierce champion for the industry. She served as the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) president in 1982 and was later named a trustee emeritus of the institute.
Those who knew her best say her enthusiasm for flowers and those working in the industry was contagious. Shelton taught her students sales techniques and how to have fun, says longtime friend Charlie Groppetti.
“Much of her career was spent teaching us how to sell flowers for weddings,” Groppetti says. “No one had really focused on this before she did, but she saw a need beyond just designing flowers.”
Tony Huffman, AIFD, who proudly calls himself one of Shelton’s students and remained a close friend, says Shelton’s ability to motivate others was among her greatest contributions. “I will remember her enthusiasm, how she was always giving a positive attitude and always smiling,” Huffman says.
Her influence and close association with AIFD was recognized last year with the establishment of the Frankie Shelton AIFD Endowed Fund at the AIFD Foundation.
“Frankie was perennially excited about flowers, about florists, and about the floral industry,” says Lynn Lary McLean, CEO of the AIFD Foundation. “Her legacy will forever be a pathway towards inspired education through scholarships and mentorships made possible by the AIFD Foundation Frankie Shelton AIFD Endowed Fund.”
Groppetti says Shelton’s praise will be how he remembers her best.
“Her words were always simple and direct, but delivered with an encouraging, radiant smile,” he recalls. “Although her words were simple, they were profound and forever remembered and referenced.”
Ringing loudest in Groppetti’s ears: “I’m so proud of you!”
“It’s so simple, but how often do we hear this?” he says. “Not enough, but Frankie always said this to so many. It was part of her genius and big heart. It did not matter if you succeeded or failed at something, she was proud of you for winning, for trying and if you failed, she encouraged you to do it again until you succeeded.”
See Shelton’s obituary here.
Sarah Sampson is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
