Obituary

Christopher Eugene Shelton was the second child born to Phyllis Shelton
Reese and Timothy Shelton, Sr. on September 15, 1970, in Baltimore
Maryland. Chris was a loving, intelligent and respectful son who enjoyed an
enriched childhood through his teen years. Later in life, he succumbed to
societal ills, and departed this life on December 15, 2009.

After his parents divorced, Chris and his brother Timmy, along with cousins
Traci and Jeffrey continued to have a great life growing up together and
traveling to many places on vacations and business trips with his mother. He
attended both Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and the Pennsylvania
Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church where he participated in many youth activities.
Whenever adults interacted with Chris, many being local and national
celebrities, they were in awe of his mature behavior, the depth of his
intelligence and knowledge, along with his writing ability and exceptional
oratory skills. Beginning in his early years, Chris demonstrated a thirst for
knowledge through his passion for reading and expressing his thoughts
through poetry and letters to family and friends. His brother and cousins
always teased him of being a “know-it-all”. With a natural propensity for
computers, electronics, science and mathematics, Chris settled in the
mortgage lending business where he processed mortgage loan applications.

Reared in a family who espoused the importance of having morals and a

good education, Chris attended both public and private schools, graduating
from Forest Park in 1988; and in later years, attended Baltimore City
Community College where he studied business. Additionally, Chris received
an electronics technician certificate. With his great sense of humor and keen
wit, Chris enjoyed stimulating conversations and debates. Among his favorite
topics were politics, justice reform and theology. Sunday dinners at Aunt
Catherine’s house were Chris’s comic-relief platform telling jokes and
mocking everyone. His close-knit neighborhood friends who fondly called him
“Lil’ Chris” were also “in-the-mix”.

Having been raised in a sheltered, nurturing environment, Chris was eager to

explore and experiment with what society had to offer. Consequently, his
decisions led to high-risk behaviors. And thus the inevitable obstacles
waylaid his destination. While paying his debt to society, Chris took several
college courses, taught reading and math, and helped to organize special
internal and family special events. After rejoining society, Chris continued his
passion to help deter at-risk young males from making similar mistakes to
his by successfully working with a Mentoring program for teenage boys.

In his last days, one month ago, Christopher E. Shelton returned to his
church and rededicated his life to Christ.

Epilogue: Chris, in his actions, never physically harmed anyone. Yet, the
stigma of incarceration continued to haunt him and he was never able to
escape unfair bias. He was under constant police surveillance with periodic
humiliating undue harassment, such as, “cavity” searches. Other instances
include, being pulled over and searched, then release with derogatory
comments made to him by those in authority. But, Chris continued to have a
positive outlook and maintained his faith in God. He knew that in the end,
we serve a just God and those who were unfair to him would have to answer
to a higher authority. As Chris is laid to rest, the inconsistencies in the
media reports, as well as, the alleged eye witness and police reports about
the circumstances surrounding his death will be resolved. Further, it was
officially determined that the alleged firearm in Chris’ possession was never
discharged. This fact will be the catalyst to bring to light the remaining
truths about that situation. In the end, Truth will prevail. With these truths
being brought to the forefront, Chris is now finally, resting in Peace!

***

Christopher Eugene Shelton leaves to cherish his memory a loving,

compassionate, close-knit family including his devoted mother, Phyllis T. S.
Reese; supportive father, Timothy S. Shelton, Sr.; stepmother, Phylis S.
Shelton; stepfather, Rory A. Reese; step grandmother, Delores B. Reese;
loving brother, Timothy S. Shelton, Jr.; aunts, Lillie Thomas, Carol Miller and
Frances Young; uncles, Frank E. Thomas, Jr. and Peter Miller, Sr.; niece,
Timera L. Shelton; nephew, Timothy S. Shelton, III (Tres); cousins, Traci E.
Thomas, Jeffrey E. Gordon, Frank E. Thomas, III, Kristal Thomas, Todd
Thomas, David Miller, Peter Miller, Tracey Johnson, Kenneth Young, Curtis
Young and Angela Young; second cousin, Tyler Gadsden; close friend,
Yvonne Boyd, other cousins and a host of friends.