Shelby Elliot Belcher III

Shelby was born April 20, 1946 in Bibb County, AL. He attended Indian Springs School, Marion Military Institute, Gulf Coast Military Academy, and The University of Alabama. A lifelong horseman who loved his quarter horses and competing in cutting competitions, Shelby travelled to Texas frequently through the years to visit with his Texas horse family. He loved stock car racing, Billy Graham, Kenny Rogers, Elvis, and barn cats, most recently Miss Kitty. His deep voice echoed through the room or across the phone lines as he paused to share the latest weather news from James Spann or to check on loved ones who were ill. He spent his later years visiting the local Shell Station every morning for a biscuit and to catch up on the local news with his neighbors.

He was loved dearly by many and had a sense of humor and quick wit that he shared generously with others. He will be missed, but we know that he is with those he loved who went before him.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pate Edwards, Dennis Freeman, Aaron Harrell, Chuck Hogge, Sam Hogge, Charles Israel, Dr. Carleigh Fryrear, Dr. Anna Lassiter, and the staff of UAB Medical West fourth floor ICU.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Compassion and Hope Food Basket in Brent, AL or Sandy Chapel Church in Centreville, AL.

He is preceded in death by his father, Shelby Elliot Belcher Jr.; mother, Jeannette Steele Belcher; brother, Alan Hayes Belcher.

He is survived by his daughter, Ashley Belcher Ferry (Daniel) of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandchildren, Hugh Walker Ferry of Birmingham, AL; Caroline Cobey Ferry of Austin, TX; Thomas Elliot Ferry of St. Louis, MO, and Dorothy Elizabeth Ferry of Tuscaloosa, AL.

A service for Shelby will be Thursday April 23, 2026 at 1pm at Sandy Chapel Church in Centreville, AL.