Mr. Anderson James Shells, Jr.

Mr. Anderson James Shells, Jr. was born on May 15, 1934 to the late Mr. Anderson James Shells Sr. and the late Mrs. Pearlie Mae Sims Shells. He departed this life on Friday, July 2, 2017, and entered into the arms of Jesus.

He served his country as a proud soldier in the United States Army 1st Battalion Gp 8th Infantry in Fort Lewis, Washington.  His title was a heavy weapons infantryman as he served with good conduct and was honorably discharged in 1958. He attended Voorhees College for three years and received his degree in radio repair and barbering. He was a barber for over 50 years and owned the first black barber shop called the Shells’ Barber and Novelty Shop in downtown Newberry, South Carolina. He was also the owner of a small barber shop in Prosperity, South Carolina. He was a leader in the community and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement in 1968 where he led a march in Newberry County to help make changes for African-American people. He was a deacon at Belmont Baptist Church and he served faithfully for many years. He was also the founder of one of the social clubs of Newberry call “The Electric Club” where he was very social, positive, and fun-loving. Most who knew him certainly knew that his theme song was the “Electric Slide” and they would enjoy seeing him and Ruth Sims do the dance at the social events or anywhere.

He will be remembered by Daddy, Pop, Pop-A-Tree- Top, Granddad Anderson, Andy, Sug’,Sug’ Shells, Uncle Sug’, Buck-up, Barbershop Man, Shell and Mr. Shells.

Those who share in the celebrate of his life with loving and enjoyable memories include his wife, Ruth Sims of the home; three daughters, Stephanie Shells-Little (Kevin Thomas), Evangeline S. Hundley (Ronald) and Amy Durant (Mike Williams); four sons, Avery Shells, Anson Shells (Benzena), Adolphus Shells (Tran Stanley), and like a son Tony Scurry; five grandchildren, Broderick Little, Siobhan Little, Aston Shells, Austin Shells and Antonio Bonet Shells; three nieces, Demetra Maybin of Newberry, SC, Karen Chapman and Carol Shells, both of Connecticut; two nephews, Billy and Eddie Shells, both of Bridgeport, Connecticut ; four brothers-in-law, Lee Vernon, Rufus, Earl, and Paul Williams; six sisters-in-law, Elaine Hayes, Beatrice, Doris, Betty, Barbara and Linda Williams; a host of nieces and nephews in the Williams family; a host of cousins and other relatives in Newberry, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and Maryland; and long time devoted friends, Rafael, Gladys and Marcelo Bonet of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Benjamin Little of Alabama, Debbie and William Smith, Earnest Clark, Fannie Mae Glymph, Magnolia Nance, Freddie Nance, Brenda Maybin and children, Barbara Wheeler, Robert Glymph and Family, Bryant Glymph, Mark Anthony Glymph, Pastor Harry Werts and other loving friends.

The family will receive friends at the home (510 Boundary Street, Newberry, SC).

Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2017 at Saint Matthew Baptist Church, 61 Boundary Street, Newberry, SC (viewing one hour prior to the service). Burial with Military rites will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC 29229.

 Service Information