George Green Shackelford

George Green Shackelford George Green Shackelford, 89, died on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He was the son of Peachy Gascoigne Lyne and Virginius Randolph Shackelford of Orange, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Howard McConnell Shackelford; his sister-in-law, Mary McC. Whiddon; and ten nieces and nephews.

Professor Emeritus of History from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, he was a graduate of Woodberry Forest School and held three degrees from the University of Virginia. His first teaching job was at Birmingham Southern, Birmingham, Alabama, in 1948 until 1949. He attended Columbia University, then worked as a research fellow at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond before getting his final degree and starting his teaching career as an instructor at VPISU in 1955.

He earned a certificate from the Attingham Summer School to augment his architectural history credentials. He was instrumental in helping to start the restoration of historical Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg under the auspices of APVA (Pres. Va.) and worked as historical consultant to the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Marven Park, Leesburg, Virginia.

He was the author of many journal articles and five books. He was also member of the Virginia Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution from 1987 until 1992.

He served as President of the Monticello Association from 1969 untiil 1971, and as a member of the Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historical Preservation from 1976 until 1979. He received an award from the Virginia Chapter, American Institute of Architecture in historic preservation in 1985. He had been President of the Southwest Virginia Branch of the English Speaking Union.

After receiving his commission in the Naval Reserve in 1942, he served first in anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic, then was sent to the Pacific, with his last post being in China. He held the rank of Lieutenant at the end of his time in service.

Services will be held in the Chapel at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, 3:30 p.m. Friday, November 12, 2010. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, 250 Pantops Mountain Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or Smithfield Plantation, 1000 Smithfield Plantation Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.