Born May 28, 1947, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Steven Buchanan Shockley peacefully passed away at home on January 10, 2026. He is predeceased by his parents, Clyde Earnest Shockley, Jr. and Barbara Willadene “Dene” (Buchanan) Shockley.
As a native Charlottean, Steve’s childhood was filled with adventure in the woods where Phillips Place now stands, movies at the Carolina Theatre uptown, and meals out at K & W cafeteria. He attended Sharon School and graduated from South Meck High School in 1965. He enrolled at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina to study history and government. Though not where he wanted to spend his college years, he determinedly thrived. After graduating, he spent the next year exploring law school at UNC, then returned to Charlotte for a job in banking, a position in the Army National Guard, and marriage to Arabelle Plonk.
A lot of life happened as the years passed – a switch to working in broadcast innovation, sports marketing, and then broadcasting sales, a divorce, gigs as an actor in local theater productions (and an extra in The Color Purple), living in Fourth Ward as it slowly revitalized, and a great deal of sports as the Hornets and then the Panthers came to town. His life was busy and successful, but perhaps not totally full. Steve married Lecia in 2004 so as not to miss out on another moment of the joy and love that “our kind of crazy” family would bring to his life. His heart grew at least three sizes as he loved, and loved well, Zane, Mauryn, Kohl, and Lecia.
Steve was a storyteller. He enjoyed connecting with others through their stories and his. In 2023 he realized a longtime dream by having his mystery novel, Duty Strong, published. It was a thrill to have it so well received. This led to him being accepted into the New York Writers Workshop. Steve was working with professionals there to develop the book into a play until the last months of his life.
Steve loved Panthers games (and all things football), movies, crossword puzzles, pizza and tacos (any day, every day), pralines and chocolate cake, Friday mornings at the Park Road Soda Shoppe, celebrating Zane and his accomplishments – whether on a hockey rink, a classroom, or as he travelled the world for work, marveling at Mauryn and her creativity and sparkle – as well as how beautifully she navigates motherhood, embracing Kohl and his continual pursuit of knowledge and innate ability to fix anything, adoring Malina and August and their curiosity and joy (not to mention exceptional twirling), and time with friends.
Despite the arrival of and battle with his stage four, malignant glioblastoma, these months have been, hands down, the best of his life. When first diagnosed, doctors asked Steve to identify bucket list items to plan to accomplish while he still could. Steve responded that what he most wanted were ordinary days. Ultimately we found that ordinary days can be pretty extraordinary when spent with the right people.
Love is a powerful force. The love of Steve’s family, friends, faith community, and Father led him home. Heaven has to look pretty familiar to him as he’s seen glimpses of it all along in those who have loved him so well.
Our family wants to convey our deep gratitude to Dr. Ashley Sumrall (+ Melissa and Stephanie) and Dr. Stuart Burri, of Levine Cancer Institute. We would also like to express special love and thanks to Keri Waddington, James McCauley, Danielle Falk, McCay Fletcher, and Jan Busch, of VIA Health Partners. You are the angels who made this last chapter so wondrously long and laughter-filled.
Steve is lovingly remembered and will be sorely missed by his wife, Lecia, his children (both by birth and by heart), Zane , Mauryn (Bryan), and Kohl, his granddaughters, Malina and August, his brother, David, niece, Katie, and nephew, Nick, as well as the sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews he delighted in acquiring through marriage.
Obviously, our hearts are broken. Yet having journeyed this last year with Steve, we will never look out at the world in quite the same way. As a final tribute to him we ask that you live your life like he ended his – regularly letting others know how much you love and appreciate them, telling stories that remind you how good it is to have lived, making time for the people, activities, and things that bring you joy, and ALWAYS saying “Yes!” to chocolate cake.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember Steve’s life on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC. Reception to immediately follow. The service will be livestreamed on Covenant’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website,.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Steve’s memory to VIA Health Partners or Covenant Presbyterian Church.