Albert Shelton Metts, MSgt, USAF, (Ret.)

Albert Shelton Metts, MSgt, USAF (Ret.) passed away at the age of 93 on June 28, 2025, in Gulfport, MS where he was a resident since his retirement from the Air Force in 1971.

He was preceded in death by his most beloved wife, Peggie Dean Metts; his only son, James Albert Metts; his parents, C. Preston Metts and Sarah Laura Metts; his three brothers, Thomas Metts, Cameron Metts and Archie Metts; and one sister, Evelyn Thomas.

His is survived by his younger sister, Juanita Wells; his two daughters, Ann Metts Aitken and Tina Metts; five grandchildren, Randi (Adam) Smith; Sheila (Tony) Brachear; M. Preston (Joy) Cauley; Jessica (Nickolas) Monceaux; and Albert (Baylee) Metts.

He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Lincoln Smith, Everette Smith, Moses Wynn, Ezra Monceaux, Eleanor Cauley and Isabel Cauley.

He is further survived by several nieces and nephews that reside in many parts of the U.S.

Albert was born in the small town of Branchville, SC. His family was poor but wealthy in the love of Christ and family. His younger sister recalls very fondly how her “Bubba” always watched out for her, walking with her to and from school and later when she got a bicycle he always “kept it running”. The family was devoted to their church home. His father worked to keep the small building warm in the winter (adding wood to the small furnace) and cool in the summer (opening all the windows). In later years some of the family “Homestead” land was donated, first to the church parsonage and later several acres to the Church Camp where, to this day, children attend summer camp in South Carolina.

The year the school system added the twelfth grade to the curriculum he was disappointed as he thought he was done but had to attend one more year! While in school, from a very young age, he not only helped his father on the farm (his brothers were off serving in World War II), but he delivered groceries from the local grocer, and at nights, while in high school, he drove an ice cream delivery truck to surrounding areas. Sometimes he said it was difficult to stay awake in class!

He recalled hunting for squirrels and as a young man was delighted once to get two squirrels with one shot. Later while serving in the Air Force he received recognition as a ‘small arms marksmanship sharpshooter’.

On August 18, 1949, Albert joined the United States Air Force. He’d previously asked his father to sign the papers for him so he could join. His father said, “No, should something happen to you, you may always hold it against me!” Dad joined as soon as he could. He was always very content with his decision to join the Air Force, and he proudly served 22 years. He had found another family. He was in Texas, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Korea, Japan, Mississippi and Canada. He received training in multiple areas while in the service: carpentry, plumbing, refrigeration, television, automotive electrical and motor tune-up, and nuclear-biological-chemical monitors course. He became a Master Instructor while servicing at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. His last military assignment was in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada at the radar site on Melville.

He met his wife while he was convalescing (after falling out of the wing section of a B36 that he was working on – he had a detached retina) in a hospital at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery Alabama. She was with her sister visiting a friend. They soon married and loved, cherished and respected one another for 64 years of marriage. He always said that he promised his father-in-law that he’d always protect and look after Peggie. He did. His wife passed in 2016, and he said he kept waiting for his ‘Creator’ to send him his wings so he could join her.

When he was stationed at Keesler, AFB in Biloxi he and his family joined First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, then located in downtown Gulfport. He continued his father’s service to the church as a grounds keeper, general repair and maintenance man (any and everything that was needed) along with being a Sunday School teacher, Treasurer, Deacon, Elder and finally recognized as Elder Emeritus. After Hurricane Katrina he tirelessly worked to restore church pews and all necessary to get the building up and running.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he enjoyed traveling and finding houses that could do with being “fixed up” in his neighborhood. As he’d learned all the skills while in the Air Force, he rolled up his sleeves and often single handedly completely refurbished, and often rebuilt sections of these homes. He had many renters that stayed with him for years and felt towards Al and Peg Metts as a second set of parents.

Days prior to his fall he was still busy and working around his yard and the apartments. He didn’t like to sit still and was always tinkering with something. He loved people and laughter and most importantly his ‘Creator’ and his family. They brought much joy to his life and like his promise to his father-in-law to always take care of and protect his wife he continued to take care of and protect his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed, but we are SO happy he has his wings!

Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m to 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., where military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is serving the family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories & photos at www.riemannfamily.com