Constance Akers Shelton, 74 of Ridgeway Virginia died July 6th, 2020 in Ridgeway Virginia. She was born in Floyd County on July 10th, 1945 to the late Ellis Cambridge Akers and Elizabeth Carrie Fields Akers.

Constance was a graduate of Floyd County High School and was among the first class of black students to integrate the formerly segregated high school in 1960. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia State University & a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Virginia. Constance was an Elementary School Teacher for over 35 years.

In 1965, Constance met her beloved husband, the late James Henry Shelton, Jr at Virginia State University, and they were happily married for 45 years. To this union was born a son, the late Bryon Lamar, and a daughter, Shannon Kaye. Constance was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an active and loyal member of Mayo Missionary Baptist Church.

Surviving are her daughter Shannon St. Clair, son-in-law John St. Clair, & grandchildren John Jr. and Londen St. Clair, all of Pembroke Pines, Florida; one brother Dennis Akers; and several nieces and nephews. Constance was preceded in death by her husband James Henry Shelton, Jr.; her son, Bryon Lamar Shelton; & three brothers: Cambridge Ellis Akers, Charles Keller Akers, & Bryant Ellis Akers.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV [1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9,2020, at The C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home from 12 until 5:oo pm. Due to the CDC guidelines for COVID19, all funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Virginia State University to help a student attend college, where Constance received a full scholarship & earned a Bachelors of Education. http://www.vsu.edu/advancement/give-to-vsu.php Constance would be so honored.