Ralph Shelton

Ralph Douglas Shelton WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Mr. Ralph Douglas Shelton, 83, passed away Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at the Lutheran Home West in Hickory. He was born June 11, 1927, in Sullivan County, Tenn., to Jake Ira and Nannie Ellen Key Shelton. Mr. Shelton was retired from McLean Trucking Company and worked at the Discount Salvage in Kernersville. He was a member of Union Ridge United Methodist Church, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. He was a member of Salem Lodge 289 where he was post chaplain. He was also a member of the Scottish Rites, 33rd§ Mason and presented aprons to new candidates. Mr. Shelton was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mavis Litton Shelton; a son, Doug Shelton; three brothers, James "Bud" Edward Shelton, George "Bill" William Shelton, John Robert Shelton and wife Missouri; two sisters, Eva Virginia Shelton and Darlin "Dooley" Lee Widener and husband Claude. Surviving are two granddaughters, Wesley Austin and husband Dirk of Taylorsville, Poppi Welborn and husband Ray of N. Wilkesboro; four great- grandchildren, Caleb Jones Austin, Cohen Douglas Austin, Bryson Hyler Welborn and Brenyn Paul Welborn; a daughter-in-law, Susan Shelton of N. Wilkesboro; two sisters-in-law, Lola Widener Shelton of Winston-Salem and Joyce Ann "Toby" Sproles of Mendota, Va.; two nephews, Scotty and Tommy Sproles; four nieces, Vera Gail Smith, Lois Collins, Lisa Gilbert, and Sandy Sproles. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with the Rev. Gary Elrod officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens with military and Masonic rites. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com