Charles Shelby

A Time to Be Born

Mr. Charles Shelby was born August 14, 1938, in Peoria, Illinois to Earnest Shelby and Elizabeth Bryson-Beene. Later, Charles and his mother relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan. He was raised by his mother, the late Elizabeth Bryson-Beene; his uncle, the late Liberty Peyton; his aunt, the late Lillian Peyton.

Charles was a member of the Christian faith.

A Time to Mourn

Charles Shelby, 85, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, October 14, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in Saint Joseph, MI with his family by his side.

Charles’s favorite saying was ‘Don’t Give Up’ and that was exactly how he chose to live his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earnest Shelby and Elizabeth Bryson-Beene; brothers Riney Bryson, Carl Shelby, and Earnest Shelby.

He leaves to cherish and rejoice in his memory: his loving former wife LaVonne Hutchin and their three children: Glenn Shelby, Debra Shelby, Shawn Shelby. He leaves to cherish and rejoice in his memory the deceased Mildred Clark, who is the mother of his eldest son Todd Clark.

Left to cherish his memories are his three sisters-in-law Antoinette DeFoe, Sue DeFoe, Deborah DeFoe; his brother-in-law, the late James Richard DeFoe; his brother-in-law, the late Richard A. DeFoe; his sister-in-law, the late Jean DeFoe; his mother-law, the late Mary R. DeFoe, his father-in-law, the late Richard DeFoe; his eight grandchildren Anthony Marsh, Monta Tutson, Shanesha Polk, Semmie McCoy, Alecia Shelby, Ashley Shelby, Glenn Shelby, Charles Shelby; A special niece Connie Hobbs. He leaves numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends to mourn his loss.

A Time to Share

He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1957. Charles completed some courses at Lake Michigan College. Charles enjoyed a successful career with the city of Benton Harbor that began in 1986 as a commercial truck driver and culminated with retirement in 6/2003. He also served as a union steward while employed with the city of Benton Harbor. In his spare time, he relished listening to jazz music. He taught himself how to play the guitar and immersed himself in playing jazz music on his guitar. He was an expert shooter, a “pool shark” and an accomplished hunter.

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