The Reverend James Franklin Shealy, 84, of Little Mountain, widower of Belva “Betty” Stuck Shealy passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Agape Hospice House in Lexington.
Born on November 3, 1939, in Little Mountain, he was the son of the late Andrew Floyd and Myrtle Cathleen Lake Shealy. Rev. Shealy graduated from Little Mountain High School, Newberry College in 1961and Southern Seminary in 1965.
Following graduation from seminary he completed at internship in Hickory, NC which was followed by a call to St. Luke’s Lutheran in Bear Poplar, NC. He served at St. Luke’s for 8 years before moving to Bachman Chapel Lutheran in Prosperity where he served for 26 ½ years. Following his retirement, he served as a supply pastor at a number of churches in the area.
He was a member of the St. James and Beth Eden Lutheran Church parish.
Rev. Shealy was a member of the Mid Carolina Lions Club, served as the chaplain and commissioner for the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District and had served as president of the Mid Carolina Ministerial Association.
He had the distinction of being recognized for 50 years of service as a minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
One of his greatest pleasures was spending time in the mountains.
Rev. Shealy is survived by a son, James Matthew (Karen) Shealy of Lexington; a daughter, Edie Shealy (Natalya Shisman) of Pittsburgh, PA; a sister, Joan (Orris) Bickley of Irmo and grandchildren, Benjamin Shealy, Luke Shealy, Aaron Shealy and Larkin Shealy. He was predeceased by a son, David Shealy and a sister, Ella Jane Griffith.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, March 3, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Pomaria by the Rev. Rodney Gunter and the Rev. Mike Watson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service. The funeral service will be live streamed and viewable on St. John’s Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Southern Seminary LTSS Endowed Scholarship. Make checks payable to Lenoir-Rhyne University and mail to Lenoir-Rhyne University c/o LTSS New Life Fund, 625 7th Avenue NE LRU 7467, Hickory, NC 28601.
