January 25,2017

Funeral for Ben Baker Shelton, 74, was Fri., Jan. 27, at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Harold Thompson and Bro. Bobby Ray Halbrooks officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.

Mr. Shelton died Wed., Jan. 25, 2017, at his residence.  He was born Fri., May 1, 1942, in Lawrence County to Newton Scebren Shelton and Lettie Shankle Shelton.He led a simple life it may have seemed looking in from the outside, but if you peered in closely, it was so rich with love, experiences, and many of the things that are most important in life.  From a large family, he was the baby of nine boys and also had four half-sisters and a half-brother.  He and his wife, Mattie, built a good life together in their 54 years of marriage raising three girls. He was a great father who could do anything and taught his children that they could do anything, as long as they put their mind to it.  He impacted so many people in small ways along life’s journey. He was kind, gentle, compassionate and a great example for his family in so many things: a man of God, strong morals and character who demonstrated love in all things.

He was a Methodist minister where he had his own churches years ago and still served when called.  He was a long-time member of Forrest Chapel United Methodist Church where he also sang in the choir.  He started working at a young age and worked many jobs – some of his favorites jobs that he often told stories about was when he was a Milk Man for Pet Milk and when he worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken; he also worked for General Electric for years and then retired from Delphi Automotive.  He demonstrated strong work ethic and taught his girls about hard work, but most of all, he taught them about love.

After retirement, he and Mattie enjoyed trips and spending time with friends.  He and his wife were prominent in caring for their granddaughters in their first few years of life on a daily basis – he was the best Poppy ever. He was preceded in death by his parents, many siblings and his oldest daughter, Donnita Shelton James.

He is survived by his wife, Mattie Shelton of Hartselle; two daughters, Amy Shelton of Hartselle and Kristina Alpaugh (Matt) of Hoover; a brother, Thomas Shelton of Decatur; two grandchildren, Stella Alpaugh and Gretta Alpaugh

If you so choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer research:

1) braintumor.org
2) choose “give a gift”

3.) Direct my gift to: “Defeat GBM Research Collaborative”.