John Walton Shealey

John Walton Shealey, 97, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of the late Vera Carroll Shealey entered into eternal rest Friday, January 31, 2020. The family will assemble at Ashley River Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. where they will receive friends in the Church Sanctuary from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. A Funeral Service will immediately follow in the Sanctuary at 12:00 noon with a Christian burial held thereafter at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.

John was born on December 29, 1922 in Norman Park, Georgia, son of the late Daniel Wesley Shealey and Reba Mae Davis Shealey. As a young boy and one of 12 siblings, his family and their timber business moved to Monticello, Florida where he received primary education in Perry and Aucilla and a graduate of Monticello High School.

In 1941, John moved to Charleston, SC where he accepted an apprenticeship with the Charleston Naval Shipyard. His employment was interrupted in August, 1943 by World War II and subsequently joined the U.S. Marine Corp. He served in Hawaii and China until the wars end, and was honorably discharged in July, 1946 from the U.S. Marines as a Technical Sergeant. After military furlough, he resumed employment with commendations at the Charleston Naval Shipyard until his retirement in 1979. Following retirement, John remained active in caring for his home and other properties in the Charleston area. He also served briefly in the National Guard as a Sergeant Major from March, 1947 to March, 1948.

In September, 1947 after five years of courtship, John married Vera Myrtis Carroll of Ravenel, SC and remained united 65 years until Vera entered eternal rest in January, 2013. The Lord blessed them with two sons, John "Randall" and Walton "Dwayne". After Vera's ascent to heaven, John found great contentment as a member of the Lowcountry Senior Center on James Island, SC where friends provided much-appreciated social interaction.

John's spiritual life was exemplified through the years by serving as Chairman of Deacons at the First Baptist Church of Charleston, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Deacons at Citadel Square Baptist Church of Charleston, and Deacon at Ashley River Baptist Church of Charleston. He was faithful many years in visitation ministry, assisted church planting during a mission trip to Romania, and enjoyed singing in the Ashley River Baptist Church Senior Choir. He occasionally ministered with his harmonica on trips with the Senior Choir to nursing homes and other churches.

From 1983 to 1992, he contributed civically as a Trustee of the Charleston County Library Board. During his tenure, four regional libraries were newly constructed with additional property procured for a new Main Library in downtown Charleston, SC.

John's cheerful and energetic attitude in retirement found a rewarding place of service as a regular volunteer at Roper Hospital from 2002-2014.

He is survived by his sons: John "Randall" Shealey and Walton "Dwayne" Shealey; a grandson, "Samuel" Hanson Shealey, all of Charleston, SC; and a sister, Jean Reeves, of Tallahassee, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of John would be greatly appreciated and made to: Lowcountry Senior Center, 865 Riverland Dr., Charleston, SC 29412.