Gretna……….Elder Melvin Ramsey Shelton, Sr. age 82 of Gretna died Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Gretna Health and Rehab Center.
Born March 9, 1933 in Pittsylvania County he was a son of the late Lorenza McKinley Shelton, Sr. and Snowy Hammock Shelton. He was predeceased by a son, M. Ramsey Shelton, Jr.; and four brothers, Clarence Shelton, L.M. Shelton, Jr., Edgar Lee Shelton and Harvey Shelton. Mr. Shelton was a minister and member of Banister Springs Primitive Baptist Church. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired from Babcock and Wilcox. He was a history buff; and enjoyed woodworking, bee keeping, gardening, traveling, country music and old westerns.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Pickral Shelton of the residence; one son, Steve Shelton of Lynchburg; two daughters, Sharon S. Barringer and her husband, Eric of Rustburg and Ellen S. Hillsman of Lynchburg and her friend Kenneth Hankins; a daughter-in-law, Tammy B. Shelton of Concord; two brothers, Jack Shelton and his wife, Shirley of Gretna and Harry F. Shelton and his wife, Teresa of Rustburg; four sisters, Frances Keith of Moneta, Geraldine Agioni and her husband, Bart of Danville, Ella Thomas and her husband, Gary of Gretna and Jeannette Mullins of Gretna; seven grandchildren, Kimberly H. Cox (Spencer), Teri Ciafardini (Danny), Michael Barringer, Amanda H. Gowell (Frank), Philip Barringer (Monika), Rachel Hillsman, and Patrick Shelton; and two great-grandchildren, Noah Ciafardini, and Owen Cox.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 2016 at Banister Springs Primitive Baptist Church by Elder Troy Simpson. Burial will follow in Carl O. Moran Memorial Garden.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Banister Springs Primitive Baptist Church, P.O. Box 164, Gretna, VA 24557 or to the charity of your choice.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.