Shelton Cain

Shelton Bennet Cain entered heavenly rest early Thursday morning, January 9, 2025, at the age of 96, at Christus Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, Texas.
Shelton was born on May 2, 1928, to Douglas Prothro and Virginia Grant Cain, in Hallsville, TX. Shelton was a lifelong resident of Hallsville, TX. He graduated from Hallsville High School in 1945 and was immediately accepted into Texas A&M University. After Shelton's first year at Texas A&M he made the decision to enlist in the US Army in 1946, where that enlistment expanded into a career of 43 years of service with the US Army and Texas National Guard Bureau. During that time, Shelton earned an Associate Degree in Accounting from Kilgore College in Kilgore, TX. Shelton's Civil Service job title with the Texas National Guard was classified as Military Personnel Technician. Prior to his retirement in 1988, Shelton served his last 4 years in Active Duty with the Texas National Guard Adjutant General, at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX. During Shelton's tenure in the military he was awarded numerous decorations and medals which included: WWII Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2 ten year devices), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters). His rank at retirement was Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4).
Shelton married Betty Jean Ranels on October 13, 1948. Shelton and Betty were married 53 years. Subsequently 2 daughters were born to that union. Shelton was Betty's constant caregiver for the last 4 years of her life.
After Betty's death, Shelton married Bonnie Dickard Barker in 2002. Shelton and Bonnie were in the same graduating class of 1945 Hallsville High School, and both worshipped at Winterfield United Methodist Church in Longview, TX. Shelton was Bonnie's constant caregiver until her passing in 2020.
Shelton was a devout Christian. He was a member of Winterfield United Methodist Church in Longview, TX. As a Christian, Shelton prided himself in the number of times he had read the Bible, cover to cover, his last count was 7-8 times. During his marriage to Bonnie, Shelton was active in the Noonday Holiness Camp yearly Sumer Camp. During Shelton's childhood he had the opportunity to work in his uncle's Cotton Gin and work on his father's farm raising cotton, corn and cows. Shelton enjoyed duck hunting, raising cows, gardening and traveling. He was a Civil War enthusiast, traveling to most of the Battle Grounds and reading every book he could find on the Civil War. He also had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC on his last trip where he visited many sites including Arlington National Cemetery.
Shelton was preceded in death by his parents, a younger sister Janelle Trimble, and both wives, Betty Ranels Cain and Bonnie Barker Cain. Shelton is survived by 2 daughters, Cathie Cain and Laura Mahan & husband Randy, a younger sister Virginia Ann Rhodes & husband Larry. Also survived by 1 grandson, Joseph Mark Morton (Laura), 4 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews from both marriages.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 15, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, TX. Graveside services will follow on January 16, at 1:00 PM at Hallsville Cemetery in Hallsville TX. with Rev. Virginia Pevey officiating.