Tony Marvin Shackelford

Winterville………………Tony Marvin Shackelford, 68, was born on January 8, 1957, and entered eternal life on June 6, 2025.  He was born in Farmville, North Carolina, the first of six children to Marvin “Shorty” Shackelford and Peggy Williams Shackelford Harrell.  He married Alice Laura Parker on September 10, 1994, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was a devoted husband and loving father.

       Tony was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Pam Adams, and beloved dog Gunner.  He is survived by his wife Alice Shackelford, sons Bradley and Joshua Shackelford, daughter Lauren Shackelford, and her fiancé Henry Myers; his sisters Donna, wife of Robert Keel of Farmville and Janet, wife of Stacy Clontz of Farmville, Barbara Shackelford of Farmville, and his brother Gerald Shackelford of Hookerton; mother-in-law Cecelia Parker; sisters-in-law Katherine and husband William Abril of Jacksonville, Rachel Parker of Wilson, and Melissa Tsao of Jacksonville; brother-in-law Timothy Parker and wife Sonia of Cary; 18 nieces and nephews, and 26 great nieces and nephews.

     Tony graduated from Greene Central High School in Snow Hill, NC, in 1975.  Afterward, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   Tony was an involved member at Pine Valley Baptist Church in Wilmington for many years, where he served as a deacon, an usher, and started its local Upward Basketball league for youth.  He was a true Tar Heel fan and loved to watch and to attend Carolina football, basketball, and baseball games. He enjoyed the beach, playing golf, playing basketball, listening to country music, coaching youth sports–including his children's many teams–and being involved in all things related to college sports.  He had a love of sports cars and convertibles, owning many different varieties of each.   

     Tony loved every member of his large family and enjoyed spending time with each of them.  He made every effort to attend family events and milestones.  He loved us all dearly and we loved him back, more than he will ever know.  Tony courageously underwent cancer treatments as a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patient since October 2022.  Alice was by his side every step of the way.  She exemplified great love, honor, and compassion throughout this journey.  We are indebted to all the doctors and the nurses at Duke Cancer Hospital and ECU Cancer Center for their work during his care.  Tony was an amicable, tender-hearted, and thoughtful person who will be missed by all whose lives were touched by him.  He felt all the love and prayers from family and friends. It gave him the strength to continue to fight.

     Tony’s funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Farmville Funeral Home–4226 E Church St, Farmville, NC 27828.  The family will be receiving friends and loved ones from 1:00PM - 3:00PM prior to the service at Farmville Funeral Home.  Family and friends are invited to visit at the home at other times. Flowers are welcome or you may wish to make a gift in Tony’s memory to the Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina, PO Box 338, Thomasville, North Carolina, 27360.  

     Condolences may be directed to Farmville Funeral Home at www.farmvillefh.com.

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