Obituary - Ernest Lee Shelley Jr
Ernest L. Shelley, Jr., 67, of Roanoke, died Monday, March 4, 2013 at the
Virginia Veterans Care Center.
Mr. Shelley was born July 14, 1945 in Bristol, Virginia and was a graduate
of Holston Valley High School in Holston Valley, Tennessee. He attended
Virginia Western Community College and served in the US Navy.
Mr. Shelley worked for many years at Tidewater Supply Company whose parent
company was H.K. Porter. He led and implemented an Employee Stock Option
Plan that enabled the business to become locally owned. Mr. Shelley served
as President and Chairman of the Board of Tidewater Supply for several
years. He retired from business in 1991 due to health reasons.
Mr. Shelley coached Cave Spring Little League Baseball during the 1970’s. He
was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke.
Mr. Shelley was preceded in death by his father Ernest L. Shelley, Sr.,
mother and step-father Goldie and George Bevins.
Ernie was a loving father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle,
friend, neighbor, and helpmate. Nothing pleased him more than to
fix something, to help someone else, or help others with a project. It could
always be said that he was a gentleman and treated others with respect. He
made sure that he always did his part. His hospitality and ability to
prepare wonderful meals was enjoyed by family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Kay Johnson of Roanoke; son Eric L. Shelley of
Roanoke; daughter and son-in-law Rebecca Shelley and Craig Ricketts and
their children Olivia Ricketts and Andrew Ernest Ricketts all of Roanoke;
former wife and friend Dayna Shelley of Roanoke; stepson and daughter-in-law
Edward and Pam Johnson of Woodbridge, Virginia; step-grandsons Landin and
Tyler Johnson of Henrico, Virginia, sons of Edward Johnson of Woodbridge and
Jenny Johnson of Henrico; stepson and daughter-in-law William and Penny
Johnson and their children Rachel and Charlotte Johnson.
Ernie is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Clifford and Janet
Shelley of Salem; sisters and brothers-in-law Marie and Bob Blevins of
Marion, Virginia, Patricia and Henry Cox of Canton, Georgia; sisters Beverly
Greer of Blountville, Tennessee and Sharon Bevins of Canton,
Georgia. Also surviving are several nephews and nieces: Tom (Karen) Shelley
of Titusville, Florida, Jonathan (Brandi) Shelley of Bristol, Virginia,
Robbie Blevins of Germantown, Maryland, Debbie (Butch) Ashby of Manassas,
Virginia, Stephanie (Frank) Donnabella of Canton, Georgia, Shelley (Ty)
Cox Hewitt and Will (Sunchar) Cox all of New York, New York; several grand
nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank the staff of Virginia Veterans Care Center,
especially 2 East, for their kindness and wonderful loving care to
Ernie Shelley.
Funeral services will be Friday, 1:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 1101
Franklin Road, SW, Roanoke with Reverend Deborah Hentz
Hunley officiating. Burial in the Christ Church Columbarium will be
later. The family will receive friends at Lotz Funeral Home, 1001
Franklin Road, Roanoke Thursday from 6-8PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church Building Fund,
1101 Franklin Road, SW, Roanoke, Virginia 24016.
Lotz Funeral Home, Roanoke
540-982-1001