Alfred "Al" Emanuel Shannon

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4. These were the principles by which Al led his life, always selflessly putting the needs of others before his own, especially those of his wife, children and family. Al was a selfless, charitable and generous man. A true gentleman with a heart of gold.

Born in the Brunswick County, North Carolina coastal town of Southport to Hubert Matthew Shannon and Lena Durden Shannon, Al was the youngest of 8 children. Tragedy struck the family when Al was twelve years old as his father, a prominent local civic leader and general manager of the Wilmington, Brunswick and Southern Railroad in the neighboring city of Wilmington, died of a massive heart attack. As the youngest child, with his older siblings off serving in the military, Al was raised by his mother and learned the value of hard work at a young age, driving a school bus and working for a local service station. He excelled at sports and enjoyed playing on the basketball team at Southport High School. 

Al was interviewed by the Southport Historical Society in 2019 and shares his memories of growing up in Southport in this video, https://tinyurl.com/cjda8b7d.

After high school, Al married the love of his life, Carol Dean Johnson, daughter of U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, Clifford Johnson and wife Daisy. Al had known Carol and her family since childhood, although Carol grew up in Sullivan’s Island, SC and New Smyrna Beach, FL where her father was stationed. Shortly before Chief Johnson’s retirement, the family returned to their home of Southport where Al married Carol. As a young man in a small town, employment opportunities were not plentiful prompting Al to join the United States Merchant Marine to support his young wife and later their newborn daughter, Carolyn. Al traveled all over the world while in the Merchant Marine, sending money home to Carol, who in 1948 had relocated with her parents to Charleston, SC. 

Missing his wife and daughter, Al decided to leave the Merchant Marine and join his family in Charleston, where he became employed with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1955, and remained employed until 2002 when he retired from what is now known as CSX Transportation.

Al enjoyed gardening and yard work and won several horticultural awards of excellence. He served on the Administrative Board of Grace United Methodist Church, participated in the Porter-Gaud Fathers Association and volunteered on the grounds committee of the MacLaura Hall Property Owners Association.

After retirement, Al joined Carolina First Bank as a courier where he enjoyed forming interpersonal relationships with his customers and looked forward to seeing them each day. “Mr. Al”, as his coworkers and customers affectionately referred to him, was known for his happy demeanor and for always having a kind and encouraging word.

A man of deep faith and conviction, Al was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston and attended regularly until his health prevented him from doing so. Al passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Al was predeceased by his wife of seventy-one years who he cherished and adored, Carol Dean Johnson Shannon. He is survived by his beloved children who he loved dearly, daughter Carolyn Shannon Barnes and husband Scott, and his son Mark Alan Shannon, all of Charleston. Also surviving are his grandson, K. Brian Cook and wife Rebecca Vance of Summerville, granddaughter Lori Michelle Stonaker and husband Eddie of Charleston, great-granddaughters Kate Shannon Cook and Sara Emory Cook of Columbia, Caroline Michelle Renaud, Christina Ann Terrell, Ellori Grace Stonaker and Maci Claire Stonaker, all of Charleston, great-great-grandchildren Emery Michelle Grant and Alexander Campbell Terrell of Charleston, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Martha Johnson Proctor and Henry W. Proctor, Jr. of Summerville and his nephews David A. Proctor of Flower Mound, TX, Michael C. Proctor of Atlanta, GA, Ronald J. Shannon and J. Donald Shannon both of Oak Island, NC.

The Holy Service of Death and Resurrection was held at 11:00 o’clock on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the graveside, Riverview Memorial Park, 3715 Azalea Drive, North Charleston with The Reverend Susan Leonard, Senior Minister of Bethel United Methodist Church presiding. The service was live-streamed and is archived for viewing at https://youtu.be/vYtZKOO1ou8. Memorials may be made to the Southport Historical Society, P.O. Box 10014, Southport, North Carolina 28461 or Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401.