Pastor David Carl Shelton went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 3, 2024. After passing peacefully in his home, his family and church family rejoices to know that today he sees his Savior face to face, beholding the same Jesus whom he preached of for 71 years.

 

Pastor Shelton was born on October 24, 1933, to Leumel Edward and Stella Hanks Shelton, in Rockingham County, NC. His youngest years were surrounded by four siblings while he helped farm his family’s land. At the young age of nineteen, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, an event that shaped his entire future and the trajectory of his life. Only weeks later, he surrendered to the call of preaching the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Shelton went on to serve in radio ministry and served pastorates in multiple churches in the Triad community alongside his loving wife Daisy and three children, Doug, Jerry, and Renae. His pastoring years included serving in our local community at Brightwood Baptist Church (1960-1965), Rowan Mills Baptist Church (1965-1966), Lebanon Baptist Church (1967-1999), and Brown Summit Baptist Church (2008-2022). Through these ministries, his life and legacy are remembered.  Many lives were touched through his years of service and work for Jesus.

 

Pastor Shelton is survived by his caring and dedicated “sweetheart,” wife of nine years, Doris Shelton; his only daughter, Gloria Renae Williams; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Wilson; daughters-in-law, Merrie Shelton and Rhonda Felts; sister-in-law, Mary Grey Johnson, and other loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ed Shelton, Donnie Shelton, and Curtis Shelton; his first and devoted wife of 60 years, Daisy Covington Shelton; sons, Doug Shelton and Jerry Shelton; son-in-law, Danny Williams, and granddaughter, Amber Shelton.

 

If Pastor Shelton were able to speak to you personally today, he would invite you to know the same Jesus that he knew. Because all have sinned and come short of God’s holiness, we must repent of who we are and accept Jesus Christ as our Advocate and Atonement. Pastor Shelton often quoted this verse from memory during his sermons: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We are comforted that the same Jesus that Pastor Shelton sees face to face today, is the same Jesus who offers His free gift of salvation to those who trust in His Holy Name. Today, we praise the Almighty One who saved Brother Carl, who kept him securely in his earthly life, and who has lovingly received him to his heavenly home for all of eternity.