John Ryan Shackleford

Ryan accepted Christ at an early age, he was baptized at Fews Memorial CME church under the leadership of the Rev. William Crenshaw.

Ryan attended St. Martin De Porres High School where he was an outstanding Football Running Back. He graduated in 1996 from Southfield High School. After graduating from Southfield High School, he attended Prairie View A & M University for a brief period.

Ryan relocated to Houston Texas and was employed by The City of Houston, where he worked for the past sixteen years. He had exceptional Carpentry skills and spent lots of time renovating and making additions to their home.

On September 24, he married JoFrancis Freeman of Houston, Texas.

Ryan was a lover of sports especially football and basketball. He was A “ True Die Heart” Lions and Pistons supporter.

After each loss he would say “not gonna give up on my boys” .

He was an avid shopper with great taste, in fashion one would rarely see him without a team logo baseball cap. Or Dobb hat.

Ryan was kind and free spirited, never meeting a stranger. There was nothing more important to him than the love for his wife the love for his family and his friends.

Ryan passed away from heart failure at the age of 46 on April 15, in Houston, Texas. Though he left this world far too soon, he left this world for a better home.

Ryan was preceded in death by his father John Shackleford; grandparents Samuel and Pauline Norwood; grandparents John and Naomi Shackleford; uncle Frank Norwood.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his loving wife, Jo Francis Shackleford mother, Karen Norwood Travis, daughters Brionna Sharpley, Shakira Shackleford, Molly Hamm,Sister Kimberly Norwood Thornton (Derrick) ,Sons Leonard Hamm,and Kevin Smith,; five grandchildren, Makayla, Lauren and Braydon JuJu an Brandon his loving aunts Sylestine Kendall and Carolyn ( Herbert) Epps; Sister in law Joycelyn Freeman, Brother in laws Christopher Freeman, and Charles Freeman. Special Loving brothers Sean Norwood, Glen William Bloodsaw Jr., Andre Wallace, Jamen Sharpley, and a host of loving relatives and friends.