Dr. Annette Nevin Shelby, a respected professor, philanthropist and the beloved wife of former U.S. Senator Richard C. Shelby, died peacefully at her home in Tuscaloosa on July 23, 2025. She was 86.
Born on Jan. 22, 1939, in Kinston, Alabama, Dr. Shelby devoted her life to education, public service and the pursuit of excellence. A woman of intellect and principle, she broke barriers in academia and left a lasting legacy on institutions and individuals alike.
Dr. Shelby earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech from the University of Alabama and received her doctorate from Louisiana State University. She returned to her alma mater to teach, becoming an influential voice in communications and management. Her academic career reached new heights when she joined Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where she became the first woman to earn tenure and promotion to full professor. She retired as Professor Emerita after two decades of distinguished service.
Known for her poise, precision and relentless commitment to scholarship, Dr. Shelby authored numerous articles and case studies in managerial communication. Her teaching extended internationally, including visiting appointments at the University of Oxford and the Helsinki School of Economics.
In Alabama, her impact was deeply felt. Dr. Shelby served on numerous civic boards, was a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, and taught Sunday school for many years. She was also a founding board member of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership at the University of Alabama—an institution dedicated to cultivating principled and ethical public servants, reflecting her own values and vision.
Her contributions were recognized with the Henry and Julia Tutwiler Award for service to the University of Alabama, the Frances S. Summersell Award for service to the community, and induction into multiple halls of fame, including Judson College’s and the Alabama Business and Professional Women’s Hall of Fame. A public park in Tuscaloosa bears her name—a quiet testament to a life lived with purpose and grace.
Dr. Shelby is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Richard C. Shelby, former U.S. senator and one of the most consequential public figures in Alabama’s history. Together, they formed a partnership defined by mutual respect, shared values and a deep love of service.
In a statement, U.S. Senator Katie Britt, who once served as Shelby’s chief of staff, said: “Dr. Annette Nevin Shelby was a true Alabama trailblazer. She led with intellect, integrity, and heart—and our state and nation are better for it. Senator Shelby was able to stand on the mountaintop as Alabama’s greatest statesman because he was married to Annette.”
A private funeral service will be held in Tuscaloosa. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership or to a charity of one’s choice in her memory.
Dr. Shelby’s legacy endures not only in brick and mortar or words on the page, but in the countless lives she touched through mentorship, scholarship and a quiet, unwavering belief in the power of public service.
