Stephen Claude "Steve" Shrewsberry

1952 - 2025

Cancer, a death sentence!  No, for Stephen Claude Shrewsberry (November 3, 1952 -  September 14, 2025), it was a LIFE sentence; an abundant life only found in Jesus Christ. While fighting the cancer, the Scripture that Steve and Sonya held on to was, “Romans 12:12  Rejoice in Hope, Persevere in Tribulation, Be Constant in Prayer.” After fighting colon cancer for three years, Jesus received him in heaven; free of sickness, sorrow, tears, worry, and all of the tribulations of this life on earth. He has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23a)

Steve was born near Detroit, Michigan, because his West Virginia family had temporarily moved from West Virginia to Detroit to gain employment. When he was only a few months old his kidneys stopped working.  He spent countless days in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Detroit. Because his parents had two other children at home, they could not stay at the hospital day and night.  One evening they received a phone call from the nurse telling them that if they wanted to see Steve one more time before he died, they should come that night.  They visited that night, expecting it to be his last; then miraculously one kidney began to work. Seventy-two years later he was still living life on this earth with that one faithful kidney. He always knew that God had a plan and purpose for his life.

As a young boy, he was extremely shy. He didn’t want to get a few groceries for his mom at Silver Springs grocery because he might have to talk with people or ask a question.  His parents often moved during the school year which complicated his shyness.  He attended at least 5 elementary schools in Mercer County during his elementary years of school. He was too shy to ask questions of the teacher, so he decided to study the material at home. Then he wouldn’t have to ask for help.

In the 8th grade, he knew he wanted to become a forester, pharmacist, or veterinarian and make a difference in this world.  He graduated from Princeton High School in 1970 and pursued a degree in Pharmacy. He completed 2 years of pre-pharmacy at Concord and then transferred to WVU for Pharmacy School; graduating in 1975.  He opened Athens Pharmacy in Athens, WV, which was sold several times and eventually became Athens CVS.  The pharmacy name changed numerous times, but Steve remained faithful to his patients in Athens for 45 years.  During this time span, he never took one sick day; mostly because he wanted to be faithful to his patients, knowing that if he wasn’t there the pharmacy department would have to close for the day. One Christmas an elderly shut-in lady asked if he sold tools because she wanted to gift tools to her son.  He had a few tools in his store but after work shopped another store for more tools and a tool box.  Then he delivered the tools to the lady. This is just one example of how he treated his patients and his employees; therefore, they became friends.

In 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Sonya Bailey.  They were married for 51 years and were privileged to raise 7 children together.  Their greatest joy was when any one of their children came to know Jesus Christ as his/her Savior and followed through on that commitment. Steve loved his family dearly and moved to a farm near Shawnee Lake to give his children more space to roam,  discover God’s creations, enjoy horse back riding, raising cattle, and even deliver a calf or two. One of his favorite activities on the farm was mowing his fields.  He called it, “tractor therapy.”

After the births of their two daughters, it appeared that they could not have more children.  Therefore, they adopted a son from Costa Rica, who spoke all Spanish, while Steve and Sonya spoke all English!  A few years later they both had the feeling that they should adopt again.  When filling out the adoption form the second time, Sonya told Steve “it asks how many children would you consider adopting.” She suggested two.  He replied, “oh just put down four.”  Two weeks later they received a call from the agency asking them to visit a sibling group of four from West Virginia. That is how their family grew from two children to seven children.

Steve served his Lord at his work, with his family, in his community, and at Fellowship Baptist Church in Princeton.  He was a deacon, grounds keeper, choir member, adult and youth teacher, and role model for younger Christians. In addition, he ministered to people in Mexico, Nicaragua, India, and Peru through Medical Mission Trips that were organized by Lyle Mullins of Heaven Sent Ministries. Furthermore, he was a Gideon and assisted Sonya with her passion for Operation Christmas Child, sending gifts and the gospel of Jesus Christ to children around the world.

To ensure that his family arrived somewhat on-time for church each Sunday morning, he prepared a greasy breakfast of eggs, fried bologna, canned pop-out biscuits, and attempted some form of gravy. Then he drove them to church in their 15 passenger van.

Today Steve can truly say, “2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, William Andrew Shrewsberry and Frances Delrhea Hunter Shrewsberry, sister, Barbara Shrewsberry Sowers, and brother, Richard, “Skip” Shrewsberry.

His children also survive him. Amy Shrewsberry Walker married to Eric Walker, Hampton, VA, Emily Shrewsberry Al-khatib married to Saad Al-khatib, Johnson City, TN, Michael Shrewsberry, Princeton, WV, Courtney Shrewsberry Matherly, Rock, WV, Candace Shrewsberry Browning married to Cody Browning, Huntington, WV, Cacey Shrewsberry Stevenson, Huntington, WV, Kenneth Shrewsberry married to Jessica Shrewsberry, Rock, WV. In addition, he has one sister, Andrea Kaye Shrewsberry, Jacksonville, FL, sisters-in-law, Margaret Shrewsberry, Princeton, WV, and Sabrina Mick, Rock, WV, and brothers-in-law Steve Bailey, Princeton, WV, and Dave Stevens with his wife Tammy, Camp Creek, WV, and aunt Nancy Bailey, Princeton, WV.  He has also been blessed with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

His seven children have blessed him with twenty-two grandchildren, ranging in age from 22 years to 16 months of age.Josiah, Levi, Grace, Abigail, Zade, Jude, Boaz, Salem, Annie, Kira, Jayden, Circe, Caspian, Ezra, Persieus, Knollan, Angelia (AJ), Damian, Gabe, Izzy, Bella, and Harlee.

The pastors officiating Steve’s Celebration are Steve Janning, First Christian Church, Lyle Mullins, Heaven Sent Ministries, and Henry Clary, former pastor of Fellowship Baptist and now a US Navy Chaplain. Family members will serve as pall bearers. Please join us in A Celebration of the Life of Stephen C. Shrewsberry at Fellowship Baptist Church, 400 Hunter Park, Princeton, WV.  The church is located off Courthouse Road between the two sections of Roselawn Memorial Gardens and beside Heaven Sent Ministries. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, 400 Hunter Park Princeton, WV 24740 or Heaven Sent Ministries, P.O. Box 5392 Princeton, WV 24740

Visitation: Friday, September 19, 2025 Fellowship Baptist Church Sanctuary 4:00-6:00 pm

Celebration of Life Service: Friday, September 19, 2025 Fellowship Baptist Church Sanctuary 6:00 pm-7:15 pm 

Fellowship and Food: 7:15 

Interment: Saturday, September 20, 2025 10:00 am meet at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton to follow the hearse to Cooper Cemetery in Raleigh County (200-238 John Bolen Rd., Odd, WV; 40 minute drive from Princeton) 11:00 Graveside Celebration at Cooper Cemetery.