Nancye Gillie Shelton

Nancye Gillie Shelton, born December 6, 1928 passed away peacefully in Lexington on March 8, 2017 at the age of 88. Nancye will be greatly missed and fondly remembered as a beloved friend and mother who enjoyed life to the fullest. A native of Danville she was the daughter of Minnie Matthews Gillie Bryant and John Buck Gillie. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, William Southall Shelton and her brother and kindred spirit, Charles Matthews Gillie. Nancye (better known as “Shelton” or “Gillie”) cherished her friends and neighbors and was renowned for her many life-long friendships. She enjoyed learning new things and brought her intelligence, curiosity and humor to everything she did. After graduating from Longwood College in 1951, she taught school in Winchester, New Kent and West Point. She was also an avid investor and self-taught stock analyst. Always intrigued by the talents and skills of others, she could be found working as a house painter, or a TV repairperson. At one point, she even took on the task of co-managing the West Point Country Club. A strong competitor throughout her life, Nancye excelled in sports and shared with fellow enthusiasts her love of tennis, golf, downhill and cross country skiing, biking and bridge. She especially loved biking in the annual Peanut Ride (for more than 20 years) and spent many happy times celebrating the challenges of the day under the “drinking tree.” Travel was her passion, with good friends in tow; she visited every continent, except Antarctica, in her lifetime. Nothing pleased her more, than talking about life and travel with friends or family over a glass of wine. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is survived by her daughter, Julia Shelton Hammond; son-in-law, Albin B. Hammond, III and two grandsons, William Byron Hammond and Perry Burks Hammond of Lexington; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins of Montana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia; and many cherished friends. Despite aphasia in her later years, Nancye’s spirit, love of people and good humor shined through. With a twinkle in her eye and warm smile, she continued to make new friends and enjoyed teasing the staff at Kendal at Lexington, where she lived for the last six years. Nancye was a wonderful mother, role model, and loyal friend. And as a woman of the world, she would have been very pleased to know she passed away on International Women’s Day. A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. April 22nd in West Point United Methodist Church, 1020 Main Street, West Point, VA 23181. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Providence Forge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 177, Providence Forge, VA 23140 (phone 804 966-2801) or the West Point United Methodist Church, PO Box 610, West Point, VA 23181.

Nancye Gillie Shelton

December 6, 1928 - March 8, 2017