James “Jay” Shelby (11-29-16) service 12-2-16

James Walter “Jay” Shelby departed this life on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the age of 77 years, 2 months, and 10 days. 
He was born in Savannah on Sept. 19, 1939, the son of the late James Vernon and Camilla May Robertson Shelby. On July 4, 1964, he was united in marriage to Beverly June Forrester, who survives.
James served honorably in the United States Army from 1959 - 1965. He had worked for Ford Motor Company, Bethlehem Steel Company, Tennessee Gas Pipeline, and INTEX Plastics in electrical maintenance. He was a member of Graham United Methodist Church and the Steel Workers Union. He was a farmer, a cattleman and a baseball coach. He loved his great-grandchildren with all his heart.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Beverly June Forrester Shelby of Savannah; children, Jamie Lorene Shelby Wallace of Whitehouse, Tennessee, Vanessa Dawn Shelby and James Roy Shelby, both of Savannah; grandchildren, Andrew James Peck, Ashley Dawn Peck, Shelby Christian Wallace and Katlyn Grace Wallace; great-grandchildren, Shelby Alayna Warren and Dustin Cole Warren Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Bullington, Verna Forrester and Irene Shelby, all of Savannah; and brother, Gene Shelby of Savannah.
Services were held on Friday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m., at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Jim Wright and Jimmy Wallace officiating. Burial followed in Graham Cemetery at Savannah.