Albert "Clifford" Shelton

On June 22, 2026, Albert “Clifford” Shelton passed from this world to life eternal in Heaven with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Clifford was born in Joe, NC (Madison County) on August 30, 1940 to Albert Lonnie Shelton and Louvina “Venie” Shelton Shelton. He came into the world on his oldest brother’s 4th birthday, the third of seven children. He was saved at an early age and baptized in the river at Meadowfork, then attended Meadowfork Baptist Church.

Early in life, Clifford worked tobacco fields with all his family. At the age of 16, he joined the US Army, went through basic training and Infantry training before the Army found out he wasn’t old enough to be there.

After returning home, he met the love of his life “Cricket” Redmon. They were married on February 8, 1962. They welcomed a baby girl on July 10 the following year and Clifford was an amazing husband and father who took the best care of his girls.

Clifford worked in furniture factories where he became THE man to match colors. When furniture factories started slowing down, he drove a city bus, painted cars and houses, did roofing, and heating and cooling, even moving cars for auctions. He was a jack of all trades and master of many. There was nothing he couldn’t do in his daughter’s eyes, and nothing he wouldn’t do to take care of his family.

Clifford became the very best Papaw as well. He loved the grandbabies, then the great-grandbabies, with one carrying his name, and all knowing that Papaw loved them.

He never wanted animals in the house. He grew up with many animals, but they were outside, in the barn, or the yard, so when his granddaughter brought a dog into the house, it was different for sure! It took Clifford all of a day or so to fall in love with that little dog, and she became another of his “girls”.

At church, at home, at work, and out in the community, Clifford was loved and respected by all who knew him, and he was no different in any of those places than any other. He was the same fine man at home or anywhere else. You could always depend on him. First and foremost, he was a Christian and he would tell you today is the day to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior if you don’t know Him. Clifford was a member of Liberty Freewill Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir.

Clifford enjoyed golf, beach trips with his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Willis, and playing with his grandbabies and great-grandbabies. He brought his mother-in-law into his home and helped care for her until her passing as if she were his own mother. No doubt, she was one of the first to welcome him to Heaven. She loved him as if he were hers too.

There are not enough pages to say all the good things about Albert Clifford Shelton. He truly was a good and faithful servant. May we all follow his example.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers, John Everett Shelton, and Leonard RJ Shelton.

Left to cherish his memory, looking forward to the reunion in Heaven are his loving wife of 64 years, Cricket Redmon Shelton, daughter, Kathy Shelton Bustle (Mike), grandchildren, Dr Jennifer Cronin (Dr Chris Cronin), David Bustle, Michael Bustle (Kayla), and Mikki Bustle Hatch (Ryan), 10 great-grandchildren, Lily (the dog), sister, Ruby Foster, brother, Junior Shelton (Juanita), brother, JC Shelton (Amanda), sister, Ruth Vance (Willis), and many nieces and nephews.

Though our hearts are broken as a family grieving, we give thanks to God that He has made a way for us to be reunited with our loved ones gone before. 

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Beam Funeral Service. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be officiated by Revs. Bobby Shehan and Harold Webb. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Lewis Memorial Park in Asheville.