Mr. Benny Shelby

Obituary Benny James Shelby, 77, of Kansas City, Missouri died on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at St. Joseph Medical Center. Benny James Shelby was born September 28, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri to Paul and Candis Shelby. He was raised in a neighborhood in South Kansas City, Missouri on 54th and South Benton. He attended Wheatley Elementary Public School, Graceland Public School, Paseo High School (“Castle on The Hill”) graduating in 1961. He participated in both wrestling and football and lettered all four years. After graduating from Paseo High School he attended Central Missouri State College. Benny worked at Ford Motor Company as an inspector on the line for 6 years and then moved on to Prudential Insurance Company selling life and casualty insurance for 10 years. He then began a career working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 8 years as a foreman. Being an avid sports athlete and fan, he wanted to start his own business selling sporting goods. Shelby’s Sporting World was started. Shelby’s Sporting World sponsored baseball, basketball, and football teams for many years. The Shelby’s loved entertaining family and friends. They had celebrations that started from their homes until they grew so large they ran out of space and they needed a public location to gather. In 1978 Benny and his brother Calvin Shelby decided to open a club, The Epicurean. Benny and his brother owned and ran the Epicurean for 40 years and then later sold it. Within those 40 years he and his brother decided to open two other clubs, Bodyworks, known later as Mingles, and The Juke House. He then opened The 9th Inning Sports Bar and Grill. For approximately 40 years he was the President of The Southeast Bar and Restaurant Association. SEBRA is an organization that empowers minority businesses throughout the community and promotes educational and personal growth and development of our youth by annually awarding them college academic scholarships. Benny was also a Mason. Benny was a champion, and mentor for youth by sponsoring several sports teams. He coached and sponsored the Shelby’s baseball teams at the 3&2 stadium a staple of Kansas City for several years. He also took pride in being a little league football coach for over 50 years and played an active role with the South Suburban Junior Football Association. His love for sports didn’t stop there he loved to support the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals baseball teams and attended games in and out of town. At an early age, Benny accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was an active member of Southside First Missionary Baptist Church. He became a chairman of the trustee board, a member of the usher board, and supported many endeavors of the church. After attending college Benny got married and to this union he had two children Aaron and Andrea Shelby. In 1978 he met and later married Charlesetta Shelby and to this union they had two children Alecia and Brent Shelby. Their loving marriage withstood the test of times until God called Benny home. Benny was a plain spoken man who said what he meant and meant what he said. He valued hard and honest work and mastered business. As a family man and a servant leader he loved and dedicated his entire life to taking care of his wife, children, family, friends, and the Kansas City Community. Ultimately Benny never wanted any accolades he was just faithful never wanting to be FAMOUS. He was faithful to giving everything he had to everyone he loved. What a LIFE to live Benny James Shelby, Good and Faithful Servant!!!!! Benny was preceded in death by his mother, Candis Shelby, father, Paul Shelby Sr., sister, Helen Wildean Cottman, and son Aaron Shelby. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: A loving and dedicated wife, Charlesetta Shelby, two sons Brent Shelby, Darren Williams (Atlanta Georgia), two daughters, Andrea Shelby and Alecia Thompson (Lucian Thompson Jr.), Grandson Caleb Love (St. Louis, MO) Granddaughters Demi Williams, and Darah Williams (Atlanta, GA) Brothers, Paul Shelby Jr, Calvin Shelby (Charleszetta), Sisters, Marva Harper, and Grace Crain; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends for over 50 + years. In Lieu of Flowers, please send donations to the South Suburban Junior Football Association C/O Benny Shelby, Cash App: $SSJFA South Suburban Junior Football Association 11154 Blueridge Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64134 or email www.ssjfa.com Funeral services on Friday, August 20, 2021, 11:00am at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church 3619 East 35th Street. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, August 19, 5:00pm-8:00pm at Southside First Baptist Church 2015 East 50th St and Friday August 9:00am-11:00am at Palestine. Services conducted Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Services will be Live Stream pmbcjc.org. Please use the QR code upper right hand corner to access program To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Benny Shelby, please visit our floral store. Read More