Shelby was born in May of 1937 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has lived his entire life in and around the Indianapolis area.
Shelby studied Bible at Freed-Hardeman College (Now Freed-Hardeman University) in Henderson, Tennessee (AA degree and Third-Year Bible Program). He has continued his Personal Religious Studies over the course of 57 years.
Shelby has ministered in the Churches of Christ for 57 years and is currently serving as an elder and minister of the church in Greenwood, Indiana, where he has labored for 18 years.
He has preached, recorded, transcribed and published seven volumes of sermons and has edited weekly church newsletters for 25 years.
Shelby is married to the former Sarah Dobbs of Gallatin, Tennessee, who has been a faithful and loving wife of 59 years. The couple have three children.