Albert Fendig Shelander

Albert Fendig Shelander, 96, died on May 13, 2023, after living his entire life in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island.

A native of Glynn County, he was born on November 19, 1926, the son of Adolph Nathaniel and Selma Jeannette (Fendig) Shelander. At age 18, he entered the US Navy during WWII and served two years on the USS Janssen Destroyer Escort in the Philippine Islands. He graduated from Emory University in 1950, where he was captain of the golf team.

In 1950, he married Marjorie Davis of Birmingham and they were married for over 50 years. In 2003, he married Joyce Nichols of Douglas and they celebrated 20 years together. They met in the Glynn Academy class of 1944.

All Albert’s life he was involved in community investments and making “good things happen” for Glynn County. In 1950, with his first broker real estate license, he worked with his father, and in 1952, began Shelander & Associates, Inc. Eventually, this merged into Palmer & Cay, Inc. and was purchased by Turner & Associates, Inc. He is former president of the Brunswick-Glynn County Real Estate Board and continued actively his entire life. He served for 25 years as a director of the American National Bank of Brunswick, now a Bank of America affiliate.

Among real estate developments were the ownership of 50 acres (100 lots) of Country Club Park, where Shelander had his personal home and lived there until all lots were sold; St. Simons Heights, where he developed and sold 100 lots; Sterling Industrial Park, where with partners they owned and sold 250 acres to small manufacturing companies near US Hwy 341; 17-95 Corporation, where he was president and sold 1,000 acres at Exit 29 on I-95; Downtown Brunswick, where with partners he bought, developed and sold approximately two blocks. With investors, he developed and sold property for four Burger Kings. Other commercial real estate transactions included sales of property to Sapelo Hammock Golf Course, Walgreens at St. Simons (Torras) Causeway and properties for big box stores.

At one time, with others, through the Fendigs, his family owned Little Cumberland Island, a barrier island south of Glynn. As a broker, he transacted its sale. It is now in private ownership, being developed in a very environmentally sensitive manner.

What Shelander was most proud of was his ability as a visionary to make Glynn County a better place to live. A life member of the Salvation Army, he rang the bell at Christmas time and was former chairman of the Advisory Board. At St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, he served as senior warden for six years. For St. Mark’s Towers, Inc., a 150-unit retirement center in Brunswick on the marsh, he was one of the founder’s serving as chairman of the committee to organize it in 1982. He served as past president, and served on its board for 40 years, until recently. At the Museum of Coastal History and Coastal Georgia Historical Society, he served eight years on its board, as president from 1990-1992, and was awarded the Cunningham Bowl for service and was made Honorary Trustee. He served on the board and was vice-chairman of the Brunswick Glynn County Chamber of Commerce and received the Alfred W. Jones, Sr. Award for dedicated leadership and outstanding service to Brunswick and the Golden Isles. He served on the board of Blue Print Brunswick, Inc. He was a past president and member of the Brunswick Rotary Club, where he was membership chairman for many years and was recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow and Will Watt awards. In addition, he was a founding member of the Brunswick Country Club and a 70-year member of Sea Island.

He is pre-deceased by his brother, Ted Shelander; and sisters, Bobs Shelander Heard, and Doris Shelander Green.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Davis Nichols Shelander, St. Simons Island; son, Albert "BB" Fendig Shelander, Jr. (Melanie Barger); and daughters, Marjorie Anne Shelander Floyd (Randall) and Joan Nichols Miles; seven grandchildren, McPherson "Mac" Gwyn Shelander (fiancée Lucy Candler), Mary Anna Banks Shelander, Dr. Edward Randall "Rand" Floyd, Jr., Flint Walker Huff (Val), Jacob Winston Miles (Jesse Drawdy), Jon Phillip Spiers, and Margaret Barger Spiers. He is survived by three great-grandchildren. Nieces and nephews include Dee Shelander Merriam (Tom), Diana Shelander and Neil Lisco, William Shelander (Harriete), Wilson Green; and many cousins. A special friend is Deby Glidden.

We are grateful to the many caregivers during his illness.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Church Episcopal Church, 900 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA, on Thursday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. John Butin presiding. A reception will follow at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall.

Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA, or to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, GA, or to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Shelander family.