Albert, Nola Shelor

Nola Shelor Albert went to be with the Lord on May 5, 2012. She was born June 10, 1927, in Floyd County. She was a true believer in God, and that Jesus was the Son of God, the teacher of His word and the Savior of our souls. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Luther Shelor; her mother, Ella (Rakes) Shelor; her brother, Curtis Shelor; and her husband, Curtis Albert. She is survived by many cousins of the Shelor family. Her surviving first cousins are, George Shelor, of Floyd, Laura Carlson, of Dodge City, Kan., Nancy Rogers, of Blackstone, Nellie Carwile, of Blackstone, and Connie Robinson, of Midlothian. Special friends and caretakers were Tommy and Bonita Harmon, and Dwight and Patricia Shelor. Nola is survived by her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Francis and Zana Albert, Mary Nelle and John Pauley, Nedra and Don Croy; and nephews and nieces of her late husband. One of Nola’s roommates at Radford University, was Susie Belle Albert, the sister of her future husband, Curtis Albert. Susie Belle (later Susie Belle Vest) and Nola were lifelong friends and sisters-in-law through thick and thin, with special attachment to each other and their families. Nola graduated from Floyd High School, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Radford University, a Master’s Degree from Virginia Tech, and did graduate studies for a Doctorate Degree at Virginia Tech. She started her teaching career at Willis Elementary School in Willis, and served as the Guidance Counselor at Floyd County High School for many years prior to her retirement, after 42 years of service in the Floyd County School System. Nola had a wide range of interests, including education, agriculture, forestry, Southwest Virginia culture, economic development, and historical preservation. She has actively participated in the preservation of her family history starting with her ancestor Captain Daniel Shelor (Revolutionary War) the son of a German immigrant who settled in Floyd County in the 1780s. She assisted in the development of a book about the Shelor family history, and the establishment of the Captain Daniel Shelor Furnace Memorial, Inc. near the site of an Iron Furnace located in Floyd County, operated by Captain Daniel Shelor. She has served on many community boards and was a respected member of several organizations, including The GFWC Floyd County Woman’s Club, The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Heritage, Ladies Auxiliary VFW, The Nature Conservancy, Floyd county Farm bureau, and Virginia Education Association. In addition, she was unwavering in her leadership and support of the Adopt-a Highway program in her neighborhood. Nola took great pride in the development and flourishing of the Falling Branch United Methodist Church, where she was a long standing member. Nola never met a stranger. Many of her friends and family remember her asking anyone new in town “Who are you? Where are you from? What brings you to Floyd County?” and then asking more questions before they had a chance to answer the first one. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Mullan and Pastor Dale Belcher. Interment to follow at Topeco Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Captain Daniel Shelor Furnace Memorial (CDSFM) in care of Janice Shelor, Treasurer, 271 Canning Factory Road SW, Floyd, VA 24091. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.maberryfuneralhome.com.