Obituary of Samuel R. Shelton Sr

Faithful Servant March 3, 1935 was a life changing event for Ruth and Paul Shelton when their first-born son, Sammie arrived. Samuel Roger Shelton Sr. was born in Chatham, Pittsylvania County Virginia. While living in Virginia the family were farmers. Soon after, the family welcomed 2 additional sons, Carl and Lester. The family decided to relocate to New Jersey and lived in Swedesboro NJ, a decision that disappointed young Sammie whom was looking to live in an area that didn’t resemble the country they had just moved from. Sammie eventually had his dream come true and the family moved to Camden, NJ where he made new friends and played new games. He was most excited that he didn't have to walk 3 miles to school anymore as a young Black boy while the White children rode by him on the bus. Life for Sammie was good and was about to get better as he took notice to a beautiful and skinny young classmate named Betty. Sammie adored her but she was not sold because of his deep country accent, as evidenced when she threw a rock at his head while pursuing her one day. After grammar school Sam went on to Burr Jr High then Camden County Vocational Technical School. Sam’s original concentration was TV and electrical, however jobs in that vocation were limited for Blacks at that time. So Sam decided to specialize in autobody and fender instead. After graduation Sam worked in the paper industry, however he was very excited to move on from there to pursue one of his passions in a more open work environment. Over the next 42 years Sam worked as a professional driver for 2 companies. The first 26 years Sam drove for Allied Beverage delivering to bars and restaurants from Pennsauken to Cape May, NJ. After a brief retirement Sam went back into the driving profession, this time he drove as he would say, “the most precious of cargo,” as a school bus driver for Hillman Bus Company. He loved the kids and the kids loved him as evidenced by the gifts they showered him with over the years. While working professionally, Sam served as a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 676. Sam loved the Lord and accepted Christ as his personal savior and was a dedicated member of the First Nazarene Baptist Church for 64 years. To Sam, being an active member meant being a servant and using his God-given gifts in the house of God. His church service included: being an usher board member, Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board and head of the transportation ministry of van drivers. During the roof construction at the 1476 location Sam oversaw that project from start to finish. It was also very common for him to be seen assisting a member with their car’s mechanical needs on the church parking lot as well as taking his grandkids to the church after hours to fill the church vending machine. Sam was a dedicated family man. He and his wife Betty loved traveling, hosting events at their home and spending time with friends. Sam always said, “the road to a friend’s house is never long,” a motto he lived by, whether driving to Virginia to see cousins or driving across country to see his daughter Susan and his grandchildren Samuel, William and Sarah. Every year Sam and Betty would pack up and vacation in Wildwood, NJ. Before her death Sam was an extremely devoted son to his mother Ruth, whom he visited every day. He left no stone unturned to ensure that all of her needs were met up until her death in 2004. In addition, he devoted the same attentiveness to his mother-in-law, Ms. Sudie Williams. He was also known to pull out a hose and wash your car even if you didn’t have time for that car wash. He was known as a man you could count on and had a strong sense of perseverance. That perseverance is what kept his body and spirit despite his numerous ailments. Sam did marry that beautiful little skinny girl that hit him with a rock, a marriage of 64.5 years. Out of this union was born a beautiful legacy - 4 children: Sharon Shelton Robinson, Samuel R Shelton Jr. (deceased), Susan Shelton-Puckett and Scott Shelton; 5 grandchildren Larissa Morgan (Julio), Corey Shelton, Samuel Puckett, William Puckett & Sarah Shelton; 2 Great-Grand Children Brielle Morgan & Saige Morgan (SAM SAM). In addition, he leaves 1 niece, Kara Shelton and 1 nephew, Eric Shelton, a host of cousins and friends. He was truly a delight to all of his family, friends and anyone who met him.