Dr. Shelvin Lee Arey Obituary (1934 - 2022)

Dr. Shelvin Lee Arey, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, 88, a resident of Bridgewater, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022. Dr. Arey was born on May 3, 1934, in Rawley Springs, VA, to the late Roy J. and Margie Virginia Eagle Arey. He attended Bridgewater College and Virginia Tech before graduating from the University of Georgia as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Arey served his country in the United States Army. He was a co-founder of Ashby Animal Clinic, where he worked as large animal vet. He was a long-time member of the Bridgewater Ruritan Club and the Rockingham Male Chorus and was very active within his church, where he served as a Deacon, choir director, and on other boards and committees. He was a member of Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren. On December 20, 1957, he married Molly Jane Cochren, who survives. Dr. Arey was known for saying the two important things he brought home from Georgia were his D.V.M. degree and his Georgia Peach, Jane. He also had a great love for music (directed the church choir for multiple years), gardening as well as sharing his produce, and attending and watching local high-school, college, Bridgewater and VT sports. Dr. Arey, also, loved to tell a good story and talk about historical events in his life with his friends and family. In addition to his wife, Dr. Arey is survived by his children, Belinda Arey, Ken Arey and wife Dewie, Lance Arey and wife Donna; a sister, Gloria Showalter and husband Jack; grandchildren, Darren Campbell and wife Beth, Preston Campbell and wife Lauren, Lena Campbell, Canten Arey, Asher Arey, Corine Arey Lamb and husband Christopher, Amanda Arey and fiance Dallas Harper, Shelvin Arey; great-grandchildren, Brent Arey, Levi Campbell, and one to be born soon; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dr. Arey was preceded in death by his siblings, Stanford Arey and wife Bernice, Dawn Arey Smith and husband Bill, and Victor Arey. The family welcomes friends and family to join them for a reception celebrating Shelvin's life from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 10th at the Eagle Carpet Community Room, 1352 Peach Grove Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA, 22801. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. The family wishes to express their sincere thank you for a all of the wonderful acts of kindness shown to them. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bridgewater Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 114, Bridgewater, VA 22812 or Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren, 8550 Robinson Road, Dayton, VA, 22821 Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.