Shelby Stuart Buckner, 84 of Buckner Branch Road passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. He was the son of the late Levi Gaither and Ada Hill Buckner. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Janette Robinson Buckner; brother, Hershel Buckner, and brother-in-law Floyd Stone. Shelby was a lifelong resident of Madison County and graduated from Mars Hill Junior College and NC State University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanicalized Agriculture. He was a self-taught Bible scholar and taught Sunday school for many years. He was a former member and deacon of Bethel Baptist Church and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and an active member of Beech Glen Baptist Church. Shelby loved farming, teasing and laughing with people, and never met a stranger. He was an avid bird watcher, and enjoyed hunting and fishing, and being with his family.

Mr. Buckner is survived by his wife Clara Fender Buckner; son; Dwayne Buckner (Teresa); stepdaughter Sherry Fender; stepson, Pete Fender; sister, Peggy Stone; brother Sam Buckner (Dinah); grandchildren, Olivia Buckner Ellis (Wayne), Eli Buckner (Lexi), Zachary, Timothy, and Danny Fender; great grandchildren, Quinn and Palmer Ellis; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm Friday April 23, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverends Troy Rogers, Shane Cassida, Josh Hughes, and Joe Bennett will officiate. The body will lie in state from 9am-1pm Friday at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassionate Care, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassionate Care for their loving and supportive care, to Camille Mace and staff for feeding and loving on Shelby all those years at the Wagon Wheel, and to Wilma Evans, his special caregiver.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.