Dr. Conrad Shackleford

Dr. E. Conrad Shackleford, Jr., 90, of Hendersonville, entered heaven Monday, November 11, 2024. Survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Kathy Shackleford; son Mike (Shelby) Shackleford; son Miles (Robin) Shackleford; grandchildren Cayce (Micah) Bentley, Abbye (Cline) Hodge, Will (Kayla) Shackleford, Michael (Danielle) Shackleford, Kaylee Shackleford; great-grandchildren Maddox & Brooks Hodge, Logan & Grayson Bentley, Conrad James Shackleford, baby-girl Shackleford due May 2025.

Conrad was born in Huntingdon, Tennessee on February 15, 1934. Following high school graduation, he attended Memphis State College (now University of Memphis) for pre-med, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine for his medical degree, and Loma Linda University for his master’s degree in public health. He spent his career in a combination of private medical practice and in public service with the Tennessee state health department with the goal of improving the lives of Tennessee children. He was an associate clinical professor in the department of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University and a clinical staff member at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Tennessee Medical Association, and the Nashville Academy of Medicine.

A 52-year member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church where he was a deacon emeritus, his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was a guiding force in everything he did including vacation bible school volunteer, decision counselor, baptism committee, and disaster relief volunteer. He supported the Hendersonville Samaritan Center, Gallatin Salvus Center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Nashville Rescue Mission, Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and Meals on Wheels. 

While medicine was both his profession and his hobby (he really enjoyed reading a good medical journal!), nothing gave him more joy than his family, and he cherished the title of “Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Bracey, Jerry Moll, Manny Martins, Bill Henry, George Connors, Jeff Lake, and Jerry Wooley. Active pallbearers are Michael Shackleford, Will Shackleford, Micah Bentley, Cline Hodge, Mike Shackleford, and Miles Shackleford. A Life Celebration will be conducted in the chapel of Hendersonville First Baptist Church, 106 Bluegrass Commons Blvd., Hendersonville, Tennessee at 12 noon on Monday, November 18 with Pastor Bruce Chesser officiating. Visitation with the family will be 2 hours before the Life Celebration (10a-12n). A private burial will follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the service organizations that Dr. Shackleford supported, as noted above.