Larry Junior Shellton

Larry Junior Shellton “Shellton”, was born on September 28, 1950, in Selbyville, Delaware, to the late Henry Whaley Jr. and the late Lillie Mae Shelton Whaley. He departed this life into his eternal resting place on February 14, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Delaware. Larry was educated in the Worcester and Sussex County areas and graduated from Selbyville High School in 1969. After graduating, he decided to pursue a military career and enlisted in the United States Army. He served from July 24, 1969 to July 15, 1971. He earned the rank of SPF4 and fought in the Vietnam War. On December 5, 1971, he enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard and was assigned to Unit 262 GS Maintenance Company, located in Dagsboro, Delaware. During this time Larry served faithfully, and received several recognitions. He was promoted to the rank as Sergeant First Class (SFC-E7). He was honorably discharged from the Delaware Army National Guard on April 8, 2008. Even though he was retired, he remained an active participant in several organizations. He was a member of the Delaware National Guards Enlistment Association and the Delaware National Guard Youth Foundation Camp which he looked forward to every summer. He attended the military ball every year and was highly involved in the yearly Christmas dinners. Larry was employed by the City of Rehoboth. He began his career in 1973 as a seasonal employee and was hired full time on April 1, 1976. He took pride in his work and enjoyed it. On December 31, 2018, he decided he was finally ready to retire after being a faithful employee for 45 years. Larry Junior Shellton was one of a kind. He was a very hard worker and helped anyone he could. You would typically have to hear him fuss a little, but best believe the job would be done, and would be done “The Shellton Way.” During the summer months, you would typically find him in someone’s yard cutting grass and doing whatever he felt needed to be done to beautify the yard. He loved to make sure his family and friends were taken care of. On August 24, 1996, Larry married his sweetheart, the love of his life, Shirley, whom he called “wifey.” This year they would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. Larry Shellton loved the Lord and was very active in the church. In October 1996, under the leadership of the late Rev. Clarence Nebraska Sample, he gave his life to the Lord and was baptized at St. John 2nd Baptist Church. Throughout his Christian journey, under the leadership of Rev. Annie J. Custis, he was a member of The Brotherhood, the Male Choir, and helped maintain the grounds. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Minnie Showell; and sisters, Madeline Lee and Deborah Shelton St. Fleur. Shellton leaves to cherish his memory and to carry on his legacy his loving wife, Shirley Shellton; two children, Angela Artson of Millsboro, DE and Sandra Dean-Weldon of Milton, DE; four grandchildren, Alisha Artson, Aaliyah Jefferson, Darius Weldon and Adonest Weldon; four great-grandchildren, Lamond Harmon III, Christian Artson, Zamiya Smith and Shaniya Smith; niece that he helped raised as his granddaughter, Tynia Hopkins; five sisters, Barbara Baker of Linden, NJ, Carrie Hall of New Castle, DE, Constance LaFate of Lake Ridge, VA, Eileen Shelton of Selbyville, DE and Lillian Tingle (Joseph) of Dagsboro, DE; three brothers, Charles Shelton (Sabrina) of Frankford, DE, Chris Shelton (Marlene) of Cools Spring, DE and Douglas Hall (Barbara) of Salisbury MD; special friend who was just like a brother, Richard Hitchens; mother-in-law, Cordelia Hopkins; six brothers-in-law, William Hopkins (Joyce), Elton Hopkins (Mae), Gilford Hopkins (Violet), Robert Hopkins (Margaret), Nathaniel Hopkins (Sue), and Ivory Hopkins (Evelyn); eight sisters-in-law, Lovey Hopkins, Delores Justice, Mary Watson (Arthur), Levola Hopkins, Regina Taylor, Stephanie Dukes (Rozzell), Wanda Hopkins and Carolyn Hopkins; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends that loved him very much and will miss him dearly.

Larry Junior Shellton

September 28, 1950 - February 14, 2019