Sheldon Rand (Snake Man) Washington, age 55, of 916 Railroad Avenue, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Sunday, March 27, 2011 at LewsGale Hospital - Alleghany, in Low Moor, Virginia.

Sheldon was born March 23, 1956 in Clifton Forge, Virginia to Otis Franklin Washington and the late Mable Reid Washington.

He was a former employee of Holiday Inn Express of Covington and continued to serve the community by helping with the food pantry.

He was a former member of Main Street Baptist Church and a current member of Good News Christian Fellowship Church in Covington.

He was well-known for his love of animals, and was a friend to all in Clifton Forge.

Everyone was known to him as "sis", "brother", or "cuz".

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a sister, Aurelia W. Jenkins.

Sheldon is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Carrie Reynolds Washington of Clifton Forge; his father, Otis Washington of Clifton Forge; a daughter, Shaunice Washington and friend, Casey Hale of Clifton Forge; a son, Dominique R. Washington and wife, Amber of Clifton Forge; four sisters, Beatrice W. Edwards of Woodbridge, Dorothy Hicks of Woodbridge, Sharon Marie Washington of Alexandria, and Ericka W. Romain of Clinton, MD; two brothers, Otis F. Washington, Jr. and wife, Linda of Fayetteville, NC and Aubrey Clift Washington of Clifton Forge; three grandchildren, Amia Washington, Isreal Washington, and Mikya Washington; an aunt, Ethel Washington of Clifton Forge; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members; and special friend, Gregory Key of Clifton Forge.

A funeral service were held on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in Main Street Baptist Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Preston Tyler, Pastor Steve Noel, and Reverend Doug Moore officiating. Following the service, his body was cremated.

Pallbearers were Dominique Washington, Elwood Deisher, Robert Edwards, Sr., Robert Williams, Jeremy Fridley, Anthony Edwards, Ryan Williams, Dallas Reynolds, Jr., David Reynolds, Gregory Key and Keenan Nevils.

The family received friends Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at Main Street Baptist Church. Friends may call any time at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge handled arrangements. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Food Pantry, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.