James "Preacher" H. Shelton

James Harvey Shelton was born on February 6, 1926 to Mamie and James Wiggins Shelton in Braden, Tennessee. He was married to Betty Bulle Shelton on April 12, 1953.

The Fayette County native was best known as "Preacher". The nickname was given to him in the first grade when he acted as the minister in a Tom Thumb wedding (a school play), and it stuck with him for life. Shelton attended Fayette County schools, going on to two years at the University of Tennessee Martin where he played football and was elected Mr. UTM before graduating with a B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. During World War II, he served two years in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific Theater while seeing action on Okinawa.

In 1952, Shelton was elected Fayette County Trustee, remaining in that office for fourteen years. Preacher then started his banking career with Somerville Bank & Trust, working for them for thirty-seven years serving as the President for thirty-five of those years. During his years of leadership, the bank experienced tremendous growth and stability. In 1982, Somerville Bank & Trust ranked number sixteen in financial strength out of fourteen thousand banks in the nation. Somerville Bank & Trust ranked as one of the nations top banks in terms of financial performance. Shelton served on the board of the Tennessee Bankers Association, was elected president for 1983-84, and was later inducted into their Leaders in Banking Excellence.

Shelton was an avid sportsman, regularly enjoying hunting, fishing and all the wonders of nature. He was actively invovled with the area's youth, both in Boy Scouts and an organizer for the county's Little League Baseball. A past president of the Lion's Club, Shelton was also one of the organizers of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. He was actively engaged in farming throughout his life, and was instrumental in the organizational board of Agricenter International. Preacher was an active member of the First United Methodist Church Somerville, having served in the capacity of Trustee, Church Treasurer for twenty years and Chairman of the Board for two years. Shelton was responsible for placing the lighted cross on the Town of Somerville's water tower.  He was an active Mason and Shriner and was past Master of Somerville Lodge # 73.

Shelton was known as one of Fayette County's greatest humanitarians. He actively supported local charities including Fayette Cares, Red Cross, Cancer Society, and many others. His charitable acts are too numerous to mention, many of which will continue to remain anonymous.

In addition to his wife of fifity-nine years, Betty, Preacher is survived by his sons, Stephen Harvey (Carol) Shelton and Joe Wiggins Shelton, and seven grandchildren, Anna, Drew, Mary, Laura, James, Mary Lois, and Madeline, and his sister, Martha Lou Hudspeth. Preacher was preceded in death by his parents, James Wiggins Shelton and Mamie Harvey Shelton and his sister, Viola.

It has been said to the Shelton family many times, "A special man, my life has been blessed for having known him."

As he told everyone on parting, "God Bless You".

Funeral services were conducted at Somerville First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 10th at 11 am. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be directed to the Somerville First United Methodist Church, 202 S East Street, Somerville, TN 38068 or Alzheimers Association, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37220.