John Johnny Richard Shelton

John ""Johnny"" Richard Shelton, 65, passed into the more immediate presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early hours on Saturday, September 25, 2010. He was born August 29, 1945 in West Jefferson, NC, the son of the late William A. and Mary Elizabeth Shelton. He lived all his life in the Winston-Salem area and was a resident of Rural Hall for the past 35 years. Mr. Shelton attended the Winston-Salem Schools and was graduated from North Forsyth Sr. High School in 1964. After serving in the US Navy he was graduated from Winston-Salem Barber School in 1967 and retired from barbering in 2000. Although a barber by trade his lifetime work was as an accomplished artist in oils and watercolors which included many local landscapes and especially western paintings of the ""cowboy life"" which he lived out as a completive rodeo rider in his younger life. He enjoyed many friends in the rodeo community and especially his great friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Smith of Clover, SC. He was baptized into the death Jesus in 1954 at North Winston Baptist Church. Later he joined Fairview Moravian Church in 1960 along with his family. In 1967 he moved his membership to Bethabra Moravian Church where he would remain a member until 2001 when he joined Friedberg Moravian Church until his passing on Saturday. ""Johnny"", as his friends called him was a gentle soul of unusual compassion and generosity for everyone he met throughout his lifetime. His faith was as simple as the Beatitudes and as basic as the Golden Rule. His love for Jesus was without question as he ‘Walked in His Steps"" (1 Peter 2:21). He has left a legacy of love for his many friends to follow and shall be sorely missed by his brothers who survive him, William Bryan Shelton and G. Thomas Shelton of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by his loving sister-in-law, Lillian Britt Shelton , his niece, Sidney Shelton Youngs and husband, Robert Youngs, nephews, Adam Bryan Shelton and wife Lori, Thomas Christian Shelton and wife Mara, five great nieces and two great nephews. He is also survived by his devoted long time friend, Mrs. Judy West Rumple and her grand daughter , Jessica Kiger without whose help and care life would have been very difficult in his two year fight with the cancer which ended his earthly life. A graveside service will take place in The Friedberg Moravian Church Graveyard on Tuesday, September 28, at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends following the service. The family would also like to thank his sweet and caring neighbor of 35 years in Rural Hall, Mrs. Mary Ann Poe for her unending love and compassion. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127

Cemetery:
Friedberg Moravian Church Graveyard

Service:
Service at 12:00am on January 1, 1970 at Graveside