Eugene "Gene" Shelton, Jr. departed this life on Thursday, February 12, 2009 in the loving arms of his wife of 52 years.
Eugene was born on June 14, 1936 to the late Eugene S. Shelton, Sr. and Alice Hunter Shelton. In addition to his parents, Eugene was predeceased by a son, Kenneth Franklin (Karen), a sister, and six brothers.
In his youth, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, was baptized and joined the Rising Sun Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend John L. Tyler where he served faithfully inspiring all with his joy for serving the Lord. Gene lived so that God could use him. He was a member and former chairman of the Deacons' Ministry, a member and former Superintendent of the Sunday School, a member and former president of the Ushers' Ministry, a lead singer in the Rising Sun Men's Chorus, and a former member and manager of the Rising Sun Jubilee.
Eugene was married on June 29, 1957 to Grace Taylor and to this union five children were born.
Gene attended Rising Sun Elementary School and Louisa Training High School. He was employed at various Saw Mills in Louisa County, Liberty Fabrics in Gordonsville, and he retired from Louisa County Public Schools. Following his retirement he was employed with the Louisa County Department of Parks and Recreation – working his last night on Monday, February 9, 2009.
He was a friend to anyone he met, with a ready smile to help cheer your day. He was a man of vast wisdom and humility and in his final years – a living testimony. He never lost faith and he never used sickness as an excuse not to help someone or to share a Word by example.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Grace; a dear and loving daughter: Darlene Lee (Steve) of Dillwyn; 3 sons each with a special place in his father's heart: Larry and Alvin (Maria) both of Mineral, and Stacey (April) of Buckingham; three brothers: Curtis (Julia), Leslie (Mary), and Garfield all of Mineral; a god-daughter, Lisa Butler; 2 sisters-in-law: Carrie Shelton of Mineral and Willistine Lockwood of Philadelphia; a brother-in-law, Riley Barney (Shree); an uncle: Charles Hunter (Hannah) of Mineral; 1 aunt: Emma Lou Shelton of Mineral; 2 aunts-in-law: Pearline Anderson and Juanita Smith both of Pennsylvania; 8 grandsons; 6 granddaughters; 6 great-grandsons; 7 great-granddaughters; loving friends: Ernestine, Tina, and LaShaunda; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, special friends, and friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 2 PM at Rising Sun Baptist Church 6829 Fredericks Hall Road Mineral, Virginia 23117 with the Reverend Frederick Sales officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.