Funeral service for Rev. Robert L. Shanklin will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Dion Watkins, Officiant and Reverend Dr. Nelson B. Rivers III, Eulogist. Interment will follow on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Big Cove Cemetery.

Rev. Shanklin will lie in repose at Progressive Union M. B. Church one hour prior to funeral time.

Public viewing will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 8:30 A.M.-6:00 P.M. at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home.

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Reverend Robert L. Shanklin

August 24, 1940 – January 11, 2025

Reverend Robert Lewis Shanklin, affectionately known as "Bob," was born on August 24, 1940, in Todd County, Kentucky, to the Late Robert Emanuel Shanklin and the Late Lula Mary (nee Slaughter) and matriculated through the Todd County School system. After graduation, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for five years during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he pursued a degree in Political Science at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He later earned an Associate's Degree in Theology from American Baptist College at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

At a young age, Bob was married to Mrs. Nettie Morehead, and to this union, two sons were born, Vincent and Orlando. Bob would later marry the late Arvie McCutcheon. He gained the love of two beautiful daughters, Robin and Kristy, and another son, Scott, who preceded him in death.

In 1994, Bob met and married Cynthia Sullivan, his life partner and love of his life. Rev. Shanklin moved to Huntsville, Alabama and began his work in the Huntsville-Madison County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

In 1997, Rev. Shanklin was elected President of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP and served for eight years. One of his proudest moments was serving as one of the principal organizers and PALLBEARER at the funeral of The Mother of The Civil Rights Movement, the Late Mrs. Rosa Parks.

His Alabama State Conference Presidential legacy also included mentoring countless Alabama Youth & College Division members. He also led the Cracker Barrel Case, which started in Huntsville, Alabama and became a class action lawsuit that led to the hiring of African Americans and other minorities into managerial positions. He was proud of his involvement in helping the people of Selma elect their first Black Mayor in 2000. He championed establishing a historical marker in honor of the Scottsboro Boys. He reinstated and/or received new charters for 21 NAACP branches, college chapters, and youth units. Helped to register to vote nearly 11,000 inmates in the Southeast Region NAACP.

Rev. Shanklin served as an associate minister at Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

He loved to hunt, fish, and be around his family.

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Lord called Rev. Shanklin home.

His sister Loretta Shanklin Smith Ealom (Rossneau) and his brother Richard Shanklin all preceded him in death.

Now, left to carry on this excellent family legacy are his wife, Cynthia Shanklin; their loving children, Vincent (Katina), Orlando (Ilona), Robin (Emmett), and Kristy (James); fourteen grandchildren, Travis (Maggie), Tresie, Jeffrey (Siobhan), Travis D. (Katie), Shawna, Lakeisha, Aneshia, Joseph, Inika, James, Tasha, Michelle, Shianne and El Shaddai; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson, Master DeVonge; Goddaughter, Bunmi (Gbemi); one aunt, Gilda Slaughter; siblings, Ross (Sharon), Wilburt (Cathy), George (Doug), Donald (Sheryl), and Nannie; sisters-in-law, Nancy, Cheryl, Phyllis(Larry) Marva(Marcus),Cynthia M; and brothers-in-law, Walter(Alfreda), Wayne(Jennifer), James, Delano and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends are also left to cherish his precious memories.