Obituary of Shelbie June Unkraut

At home and in the arms of loving family, Shelbie June [Bolling] Unkraut, age 75, passed away peacefully after a long and arduous battle with leukemia on March 24, 2023. She was born to Shelby and Elizabeth “Bobbie” [Banks] Bolling in Fleming, KY on September 1, 1947.

Shelbie was a no-nonsense and industrious person with a powerful work ethic.  An avid outdoorswoman with a deep respect for the land and its creatures, Shelbie relished being out in nature. She rifle as well as bow-hunted deer and other game alongside her husband, Rodney. Occasionally she also liked to fish. She had a love and also a way with animals both domestic and wild; caring over the years for horses, rabbits, dogs, cats, chickens, deer, mockingbirds, and squirrels. Shelbie possessed a true talent as a seamstress and quilter. She constructed (often times from patterns of her own design) everything from prom dresses to baby clothes. She was known to frequently re-upholster items in the house and was a gifted tailor, taking in and altering dress clothes for those she loved.  Described as the best wife and partner, the home she and  Rodney made together was everything to her.  The absence of this wonderful mom, mamaw, sister, aunt and wife engenders much heartache.  Shelbie will be eternally missed.

Those left here on earth to carry and cherish Shelbie’s memory are her husband of 47 years, Rodney Unkraut; her daughters Sonjua Smith (Patrick) and Amber Carpenter (Chris); her sister Nickie Hornsby (Elmer); 6 beloved grandchildren; 5 treasured great-grandchildren; a special niece and nephew; as well as an additionally special great-niece and great-nephew; other close relatives and friends. Shelbie is preceded in death by her parents Shelby and Elizabeth “Bobbie” Bolling and her daughter Lacey Unkraut.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 for Shelbie at Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home, 11382 Madison Pike, Independence, KY, 41051. The family will receive guests from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Directly following visitation, a funeral service will be held to celebrate Shelbie’s life, also at the funeral home. Shelbie will then be laid to rest alongside Lacey at Wilmington Baptist Cemetery, 15472 Madison Pike, Demossville, KY, 41033. Please consider donating in Shelbie’s honor to Healthwell Foundation, either in person at services or online.

To view the Life Tribute video or to share a memory or photo of Shelbie, please visit the corresponding tabs on this page.