Dewey Darrell Shelton, 84, passed from this life to forever be with Jesus on July 25, 2022, in Marmaduke. Dewey was born on Aug. 1, 1937, in Rector, to the late Arthur “Artie” and Gertie (Collier) Shelton.

Dewey established Shelton Sanitation in 1970, starting with a route in the City of Rector, picking up trash in a pickup truck. The business grew to servicing the eastern half of Clay County and the cities of Rector, Marmaduke, Greenway and St Francis and Dewey ran the family business until his retirement in 2003. Dewey was a faithful member of the Blue Cane General Baptist Church until its closing and then attended the Rector First General Baptist Church until his health began to fail. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, gardening, attending his grandchildren’s ballgames and spending time with his family and friends.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David Shelton; brothers: Claybourne Shelton, Buell Shelton, Burl Shelton, Norman Shelton, Thomas Ervin Shelton, and Eugene Shelton; two sisters: Avis Adams and Melda Cavaness.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty Keller Shelton; one son: Alan Shelton and wife Valerie of Marmaduke; grandchildren: Brittany Hemphill and husband James, Matthew Shelton and wife Maria, Haley Mitchell and husband Ryan, Lindsey Kopiness and husband Brent; great-grandchildren: Lane Hemphill, Brody Hemphill, Josie Hemphill, Evelyn Shelton, Henry Mitchell, Lucy Kopiness, Brayden Kopiness, Emily Kopiness; brothers: Wayne Shelton and wife Shirley of Kennett, Byron Shelton and wife Sandra of Paragould, and Doyne Shelton and wife JoAnn of Rector; daughter-in-law: Michelle Ward and husband Greg; sisters-in-law: Brenda Scott, Ann Shepard and husband Troy, Vonetta O’Neal and husband Leroy; along with a host of special nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday July 27, 2022, at the Irby-Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday July 28 at the First General Baptist Church in Rector with Bro. Phillip LaRue and Bro. Ken Price officiating. Interment followed at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.