Shelby Falconer Etheridge

Shelby Falconer Etheridge was born in his family home on his mother's birthday, February 14, in 1943. He was surrounded by his adoring children when he passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024. The beloved son of Julian Baylor and Elizabeth Perkins Falconer, Shelby grew up alongside six siblings, forming a close-knit family.

Shelby was a devoted father to his five children: Mark Murphy, Sharon Marie, Kevin Lee, Brian Falconer, and Sally Anne. He supported them with unwavering patience and unconditional love. He was married to Elaine Murphy for nearly 60 years. Through their love for each other and their deep Christian faith, they stayed strong through the loss of their cherished son, Kevin, at the age of 17.

A dedicated member of the Creeds Church of Christ, Shelby served as an elder for many years, demonstrating his commitment to his faith and community. His leadership and compassion were felt by all who knew him, and he left a lasting impact on the congregation.

Professionally, Shelby was the Administrator of the Virginia Beach City Garage, where he worked diligently for 37 years before retiring from Automotive Services. His career was marked by dedication and excellence, earning him the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Shelby came home from the City Garage and worked long hours in his own shop. He always had a collection of cars, trucks, and tractors waiting to be fixed. Friends and neighbors would wait for his time and knew the work would be done honestly.

In retirement, Shelby embraced his passion for mechanics, spending his days as a shade tree mechanic. This hobby brought him great joy and allowed him to continue sharing his skills and knowledge with others. In his later years, nothing gave him more pleasure than fixing lawnmowers. He couldn't pass up an abandoned mower and would often get phone calls from friends and family telling him about one on the side of the road. He turned many discarded mowers into loaners and would drop one off when picking up a neighbor's broken one.

Shelby Falconer Etheridge will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, faith, and work. His legacy of love, service, and integrity will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.

A visitation for Shelby will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Smith & Williams Funeral Home Kempsville, 4889 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462. A Celebration of Life memorial service will occur Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Creeds Church of Christ, 5500 Morris Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23457.