Bruce V. Shelley

Bruce V. Shelley, a resident of the Tumbleton Community in Henry County, died unexpectedly on, Sunday, July 22, 2007, at his home. He was 77. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, in Tolbert Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Brantley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Holman-Headland Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tolbert Baptist Cemetery Fund, c/o Jolaine Masters, 8705 County Road 99, Newville, AL 36353. Mr. Shelley was a lifelong resident of the Tumbleton Community, near Headland, son of the late Otis (Big Man) Shelley and Ila Mathis Shelley. He was a graduate of Headland High School and also received a B.S. degree in Agriculture from Auburn University. Upon graduation from Auburn and its R.O.T.C. program, he entered the U. S. Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict and later during the Berlin Crisis. He was engaged in farming most of his adult lifetime. Mr. Shelley served as a deacon in Tolbert Baptist Church and had formerly served as a Henry County commissioner. He was a member of the Alabama Cattlemans Association and served on the Alfa Board of Directors of Henry County, where he was presently serving as an honorary member. Mr. Shelley was a member of Browns Crossroads Masonic Lodge No. 529. Surviving relatives include his wife, Sue York Shelley, Tumbleton Community; four daughters, Beverly Williams and husband, Glenn Williams, Abbeville, Sheila Carnilla and husband, Steve Carnilla, Birmingham, Jill Hamm and husband, Sam Hamm, Tumbleton Community, Starla Rollins and husband, Frank Rollins, Tumbleton Community; a sister, Jolaine Masters, Tumbleton Community; seven grandchildren, Michelle English and husband, Charlie English, April McBrayer, Zach Sanders, Nick Sanders, Taylor Hamm, Morgan Rollins and Madison Rollins; two great-grandchildren, Shelley English and Kade McBrayer; five nephews, Steve, Tim and Richard Masters, Michael and Brad Johnson; a sister-in-law, Nan York Johnson and husband, Don Johnson; a brother-in-law, Ted York and wife, Rona York. Holman-Headland Mortuary, (334) 693-3371, is in charge of arrangements.