Verl Shell, 87, of 110 Tom Birchfield Road, Roan Mountain, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Verl was born in Carter County on February 22, 1928, a son of the late Arthur and Dovie Street Shell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ennie Shell Shell; his second wife, Christine Johnson Shell; three brothers, Fred, Eddie Joe and Bert Shell; and one sister, Willie Cox.
Verl retired as a machine operator at North American Rayon Corporation and was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed watching NASCAR races, talking politics, and working in his yard and garden. He was very loved by his family and will be missed dearly by his family and many friends.
Those left to cherish his memory include his three children, Bill Shell and wife Sarah, Damascus, Va., Teddy Shell, of the home, and LeDonna Hughes and husband Joey, Johnson City; his eight grandchildren, Wendy Gibbons and husband Dean, Cody Shell and wife Ashley, Justin Shell and wife Nichole, Jessica Shell, Heather Gibson, Haley Hughes and fiancé Dustin Clawson, Ashley Otey and Brandon Otey; several great-grandchildren; one brother, William D. Shell and wife Norma Lou, Elizabethton; and two sisters, Frankie Cox and Jean Timmons and husband Bob, all of Roan Mountain. Several nieces and nephews, along with his best buddy, “Champ,” also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Verl Shell will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, October 5, in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, with Mr. Todd Wolfe, minister, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Jennifer Sizemore. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, October 4, in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain. The graveside service will follow the funeral service on Monday at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Verl’s breakfast buddies at Happy’s Café, Dr. Jeffery Schoondyke and Myron Phillips. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Tetrick Funeral Home, 211 N. Riverside Drive, Elizabethton, to defray expenses. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Shell family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.