Graham Low Shovelton was born to the late Harold and Abbie (Warburton) Shovelton in Fall River, MA. He spent his formative years in Fall River and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1941. He received an academic scholarship from Middlebury College, Vermont which he attended until drafted into the Army in 1943.
He had a varied and exciting infantry career manning 81 mm mortar and heavy machine guns culminating in a promotion to Staff Sargent as the Company Supply Sargent. He returned to civilian life in Oswego, New York (where his mother lived) to continue his education, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Middleburg College and master’s degrees from Syracuse University and UAH. He began his career as a government employee living in Texas, Oklahoma and finally settling in Huntsville where he retired as the Deputy Civilian Personnel Officer.
He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Department Director, and a member of many committees. He sang in the Sanctuary Choir, the Living Christmas Tree for over 20 years, and the Hallelujah Choir where he served as president. The PTA was one of his outside interests and he served as president of both Huntsville Middle and Huntsville High PTAs.
After retirement he served on the Senior Center Board of Directors. He was president during the planning of the move to its present site on Drake Ave. Great interest in local charities led him to serve on the Food Bank board and the Blount House board. He was a big supporter of Meals on Wheels, delivering meals weekly for ten years. The Land Trust of Huntsville was a great beneficiary of the Shovelton’s interest in local charities when he and his wife donated one hundred acres to the Wade Mountain Nature Preserve.
Survivors include his wife, Corinne Harris Shovelton of Huntsville; daughter, Susan Moser (Don); son, Thomas Shovelton; grandchildren, Richard Moser, Dr. John Moser, Robert Moser (Frances), Colleen Shovelton and William Shovelton; and great granddaughters, Abigail Moser and Olivia Moser.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow in the chapel with the Rev. Travis Collins officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or the Huntsville/Madison County Library.
