Randal Hubert Shields, 85, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, at his home.
He was the son of the late Robert Emory and Gertie Anderson Shields.
He was a founding member of Temple Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and adult Sunday school teacher.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He retired after 23 years as dean of the evening programs at Tri-County Community College.
He was a graduate of Western Carolina University and a star player of the men’s basketball team which still holds the record of best winning percentage team in school history.
Randal was highly active in the community. He served on the Cherokee County School Board of Education for 10 years, N.C. State School Board for eight years, N.C. Cooperative Extension of Cherokee County Board for more than 20 years and was a member of the N.C. State Grange for over 50 years.
He was the owner and operator of Shields Landscaping Tree Farm for over 35 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Carol Shields.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mozelle Hughes Shields; three sons, Steven Shields and wife Kerrie, Samuel Shields and wife Sharon, and Phillip Shields and wife Gretchen; one daughter, Kelley McDonald and husband David; eight grandchildren: Kevin and Brice Shields, Stephanie Smith, Candace Shields, Kendric McDonald, Drew Shields, Dillon McDonald and Tyler Shields; and eight great-grandchildren, Audrey, Amelia, Alorah, Elizabeth, Ella, Jack, Logan and Emory.
Funeral services were
held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Temple Baptist Church in Murphy. The Revs. Don Padgett, Harvey Ware and Kendric McDonald officiated. Music was provided by the Rev. Wayne Morgan.
Burial was in Temple Baptist Church Cemetery, with military honor rites being conducted by the American Legion Post 96, Murphy; American Legion Post 532, Hayesville; VFW Post 6812, Hayesville; Marine Corps League, Marble; and Vietnam Veterans of America. Pallbearers were Kevin Shields, Brice Shields, Kendric McDonald, Drew Shields, Tyler Shields, Adam Smith and Dillon McDonald. Honorary pallbearers were the men of Temple Baptist Church.
The family received friends from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Temple Baptist Church. The family requested masks and social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 11 Simonds Chapel Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the Shields family at townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.