Gretna…….Raymond Jack Shelton, Sr., age 83 of Gretna died Sunday, March 19, 2023 at his residence.

Born April 1, 1939 in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of the late Lorenza McKinley Shelton and Snowy Hammock Shelton.  He was predeceased by five brothers, Clarence Shelton, L.M. Shelton, Jr., Edgar Lee Shelton, Harvey Shelton and Elder Melvin Shelton, Sr. Mr. Shelton was raised in an old Primitive Baptist family and worked at Burlington Mills, Lane Company, Klopman Mills, Goodyear and Galveston Mills before coming up with the idea of a restaurant. With four young children, in 1972 he built and opened a 24 x 24 short order window service restaurant. Jack and Shirley named it Jack's Quick Snack, the greatest endeavor of his life. It took lots of helping hands including family members from both Jack and Shirley to help run it, but through it all his main love was his family. No man could have been more proud of his sons and grandsons, and he doted on his daughter and granddaughters. Jack was a "Jack" of all Trades and could fix anything. He enjoyed fixing things and antiques, especially his 1929 and 1930 Model A Fords.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Pickral Shelton of the residence; four sons; Raymond Jack Shelton, Jr. (Ellen) of Chatham, Ronald Jeffrey Shelton (Beth) of Gretna, Ralph Jonathan Shelton of Virginia Beach, and Rory Jason Shelton (Tobie) of Lynch Station; one daughter, Stephanie S. Singleton (Rodney) of Hurt; one brother, Harry Shelton of Rustburg; four sisters, Frances Keith of Moneta, Geraldine Agioni (Bart) of Danville, Ella Mae Roach of Gretna and Jeannette Mullins of Gretna; 13 grandchildren, Dana Yeatts (Donnie), Kristina Cartrette (Bryce), Casey Ryan Shelton, Cara Robinson (Daniel), Jodie Shelton (Cody), Courtney Nichole Hines, Cailyn LeeAnn Singleton, Jase Addison Shelton, Korie Paige Shelton, Jessa Elizabeth Shelton, Camdyn Ryan Singleton, Tristan Toler (Mariah) and Alex McCulloch (Rebekah); 14 great-grandchildren and two on the way, Arianna, Abigail, Isaac, Caleb, Kennon, Joshua, Bayden, Ryler, Brendon, Bently, Brayln, Brianna, Baylee and Harper Jo.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Christian Life Church by Rev. Michael Turner.  Burial will follow in Carl O. Moran Memorial Garden.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home in Gretna is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.