Millard Alton Shelton

Graveside service for Millard Alton Shelton, age 86, of Trinity will be 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Midway Memorial Gardens with Tyler Stephenson officiating and Parkway Funeral Home directing.  

Mr. Shelton, who died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his residence, was born August 28, 1939, to James Martin Shelton and Mattie Sue Bond Shelton.  He was a member of the Emanuel Baptist Church.  He is survived by one brother, Arnold Shelton of Decatur, AL.

Millard was proud of his Cherokee heritage.  He served 12 years as Chief of the Blue Clan of Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.  He enjoyed speaking of the Cherokee language, heritage, customs, and traditions to elementary, high school, college students, and civic groups.

Millard began the practice of the martial art of Judo in 1968.  Later he supervised the Judo program for the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department in Decatur, AL.  He and three other Judo instructors formed and established a nationally recognized Judo organization known as Midori Yama Judokai.  Millard enjoyed competing in Judo tournaments throughout the southeast, winning many of the events in his division.  He reached the very high rank of 7th Degree Black Belt.  He was also a member of the Professional Combined Martial Arts Board of Advisors.

Millard enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He also was an avid sports fan.
 

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