Keith Shelton

Vestal Keith Shelton of Smith Mountain Lake, Virgina, passed away on August 16, 2024 at Woodland Hills Community Senior Living in Roanoke, Va. His wife of 68 years, and high school sweetheart, Ann May Shelton was beside him in death as in 73 years of shared life.Keith was born on April 25,1934 in Gate City Virginia and raised in Clifton Forge Virginia. He is the son of the late Brandon and Ruth Shelton. The oldest son of 4 children, he was preceded in death by his youngest brother and Sister-in-Law, Brandon and Louada Shelton.

Keith graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Business and was a devoted Hokies football fan his entire life. After graduation, he married Ann in 1956 and moved to Georgia where he served 2 years in the Army. In 1962 they moved to Northern Virginia where they raised their 3 children and Keith embarked on what would be his main career in Human Resources with the Internal Revenue Service in Washington D.C. He took early retirement and continued his HR career with Atlantic Research Corporation. The Shelton’s left Annandale Virginia and moved to Warrenton where they lived until moving permanently to Smith Mountain Lake in 1995. At SML, Keith sold Real Estate where he combined his love of golf with his love of the Lake to build a successful 3rd career. He and Ann enjoyed life on the lake where Keith perfected his golf game at the Waterfront Country Club, getting his first hole-in-one at Forest Glen in Naples FL in 2004. He was a member of the SML Lions club where he served 1 term as President. A strong believer, Keith raised his family in the Presbyterian Church but became an active member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta, VA.

Keith also enjoyed Bridge and played all his adult life. At Va Tech, he was a proud member of the German Club and maintained relationships with those buddies for decades. A man of high integrity, Keith was proud of becoming an Eagle Scout and taught his children to honor God, country and family.

He is survived by his wife Ann May Shelton, his children Dianne Shelton, Brad Shelton, Cliff (DeAnne) Shelton, 2 grandsons Lowell Shelton and Ryan Jacobs, 2 granddaughters Claire Jacobs and Julia Shelton, sister Dreama (Dick) Price, brother Duane (Ruthie) Shelton, brother & sister-in-law Robert and Carolyn May and several nieces and nephews.

Heartfelt appreciation is given to Good Samaritan Hospice, as well as the staff at Woodland Hills.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of life at a later date. Friends and Family will be notified. Tharp Funeral Home Bedford is assisiting the family.