HOOKERTON, NC – Jerry Shackelford, 87, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family members on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. The son of William Jesse Shackelford and Nina Mae Creech Shackelford, Jerry was born July 28, 1931, in Greene County and graduated from Hookerton High School in 1949.

Jerry was a lifelong active member of Hookerton Christian Church. He served his beloved church in many ways and was honored with the office of Deacon Emeritus in recognition of long membership and service to the church.

He was on the Board of Directors of First Citizens Bank in Hookerton and an active member of the Hookerton Ruritans for many years.

A man of many talents, Jerry operated several successful businesses. His career as a farmer branched into a business selling agricultural products. He went on to own and operate Center Tobacco Warehouse in Windsor, NC, and Burley Tobacco Warehouse in Danville, KY.

An avid and loyal sports fan, Jerry rarely missed a Boston Red Sox baseball game on television or University of North Carolina men’s basketball game – Go Heels! He enjoyed fishing and spent many days on the water near Swansboro, in the North Carolina mountains near Blowing Rock, and annual vacations with dear friends at Newport, Tennessee.

Jerry treasured time spent with family and friends. His happiest memories were made when he was cooking for, and sharing meals with, his family and friends. He was never without a story and could command any room by sharing memories in his unique way.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers, Jesse Ray Shackelford and William “Bill” Shackelford; sisters, Sara Sugg and Mae Carol Hill; brothers-in-law, Jasper “Pete” Sugg and Lemuel Sutton Hardy; and sisters-in-law, Hazel Hardy and Hattie Lou Shackelford.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 68 years, Evelyn Sutton Shackelford; son, Dwain Shackelford (Elizabeth); daughter, Susan Shackelford Baker; grandchildren, Jay Shackelford (Laura), Jon Shackelford (Melissa) and Sarah Sutton Baker; great-grandchildren, Jeri Lynn Shackelford, Jonna Lee Shackelford, and David Shackelford; and brother, Frank H. Shackelford.

A service of remembrance will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, at the Hookerton Christian Church with the Reverend Allen Ham and Reverend Greg Persinger officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the Hookerton United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service in Snow Hill.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to Hookerton Christian Church, PO Box 186, Hookerton, NC 28538.

Condolences may also be left online at www.taylor-tyson.com.