James Eldridge Belton

James Eldridge Belton, beloved father, grandfather, retired shoemaker, and avid Duke fan, passed away on Monday, September 25th at the age of 92 following complications from a stroke. James was born in Mount Airy to L. Caneon and Iva “Jewel” Shackleford Belton. He and his brothers had fond memories of summers spent with their extended family, especially Tom and Betty Brown. After graduating from Franklin High School in 1949, James was drafted into the US Army, where he served in Karlsruhe, Germany during the Korean War. After he returned home from his military service, he opened Belton Shoe Shop in Pilot Mountain. He attended the First Baptist Church of Pilot Mountain, where he was an active and faithful member of his community and congregation. He met his wife Annie “Ruth” Donathan at one of her high school basketball games. Eldridge and Ruth had one daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Brannock. After retirement from Pilot Mountain, James joined his brother L.C. at Belton Shoe Shop in Mount Airy until it closed in April 1998. His gentleness and kindness were evident throughout his life, and his patience will leave an impact on all who were fortunate enough to know him. Mr. Belton was preceded in death by Debbie’s mother, Ruth Donathan Watson of Mount Airy, his second wife, Mary Good Belton of Mount Airy, step-son, Steve Tilley, his parents, L. Caneon and Jewel Shackleford Belton, his brothers Bill Belton (Mary Lou) of Mount Airy, Bob Belton (Wanda) of Flint, Michigan and sister-in-law Opal Belton of Mount Airy. He was survived by his daughter Deborah Brannock (Mark) of Mount Airy, granddaughters Molly Brannock Metcalf (Doug) of Boulder, Colorado and Abigail Brannock of Nashville, Tennessee, brother L.C. Belton, stepchildren Lynn Carter, Brad Tilley (Kathy), Sandy Wagoner (Rick), step daughter-in-law Sandy Tilley and several step-grandchildren. Special thanks to the staff of Surry Community Health Center and Mark Golding for the fine care they provided for our father and grandfather. “Strength is not always loud; sometimes, it’s the quiet resilience that inspires others the most.” Visitation will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 30th, followed by a 2:00 pm service at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Airy with pastor Alex L. Martin officiating. A burial will follow in Skyline Memory Gardens with military honors conducted by King American Legion Post 290. Visitation will be from 1:00 Until 2:00 PM at the church.  Moody Funeral Services in Mt. Airy is serving the Belton family.