Obituary: Arthur Hope Shackelford
Arthur Hope Shackelford, 87, formerly of Kinston, died peacefully on October 2, 2022, in Tarboro.
He was born January 3, 1935, to John Arthur and Irma Taylor Shackelford in the Airy Grove Community of Lenoir County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margot Gladding Shackelford, in 2014, and his brother, Ossie Taylor Shackelford, in 2011. After graduating from Hookerton School in 1952, he attended North Carolina State College where he was active in Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and earned a B.S. degree in agronomy in 1956.
One of his most meaningful activities during college was traveling to Jordan through the International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) program to learn about their agricultural practices and culture. While he began his career in journalism and communications for the Goldsboro News Argus and then the N. C. Bankers Association, he built his career in retail sales as owner of Canady’s and later at JCPenney in Kinston.
For many years, he was an active member of the Kinston Rotary Club where he led the music, was a past president, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was well known for his beautiful baritone voice that he shared with his church choir and as a soloist at many weddings, musical performances, and theatre productions over the years. He also served multiple terms as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Kinston.
He is survived by his three daughters and their families: Margaret Lee Shackelford Smoot and husband Greg of Longmont, Colo., and their daughter Madeline Hope Smoot of St. Paul, Minn.; Sarah Hope Shackelford Smith and husband Matt and their daughters Emily Margot Smith, Olivia Taylor Smith and Sophie Elizabeth Smith of Buffalo, N.Y.; and Johanna Gladding Shackelford Owens and husband Tripp and their children Simon Lloyd Owens and Sadie Worrell Owens of Tarboro, N.C.
Other survivors include a niece, June Shackelford Hiott of Pittsburg, Penn.; a nephew, Douglas Alan Shackelford and wife Ann of Chapel Hill; and their families. As was his wish, his body has been donated for scientific and educational study. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family requests no flowers. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Edgecombe Cancer Support Foundation, PO Box 1582, Tarboro, NC 27886; First Presbyterian Church, 2101 N. Herritage Street, Kinston, NC 28501; or the charity of one’s choice.
