Judy Shell

Mrs. Judy Hammond Shell, age 76, of Wilkesboro NC died peacefully at home on September 5, 2022.

Judy was born October 10, 1945 in Rocky Mount, NC to Bill and Grace Hammond. She grew up in Eastern North Carolina with her three sisters and loved spending summers on Topsail Island with her extended family. Judy attended the University of North Carolina Greensboro where she studied French and Education. While attending college, she met the love of her life, Leslie Shell, at an event at UNC-Chapel Hill and they were married in 1968. They remained in Chapel Hill while Leslie completed his studies at UNC and they welcomed their first son.

They eventually settled in Wilkesboro, NC where their second son was born.  Judy spent 30 years teaching in the public school system. She loved all her students and enjoyed seeing them around town, where she called them by name long after they left her classroom.  Judy loved spending time with her sons as they grew up in Wilkesboro and with her grandchildren in later years.  She spent her retirement years with her husband split between Florida, North Topsail Beach and Wilkesboro.  She never met a stranger and within minutes of meeting you, she would know facts about your life and family that she never forgot.  Judy was a long-time member of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church

Judy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Leslie, her sons, Gray (Lori) of Marvin, NC and Bill (Keisha) of Raleigh, NC and four grandchildren, Graham, Grace, Noah and Pacey along with her sisters Billie Rowe of Wilkesboro and Jenny Simpson of Montgomery, AL and two nieces and five nephews. Judy also leaves behind her lifetime friends Tempie Ferris, Raye Hedden, and Judy Little who she thought of as family. She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Grace Hammond of Rocky Mount, NC and her sister Lynda Knouse of Asheville, NC.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held to honor Judy’s memory on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends at a reception following the memorial service.  Interment to follow later at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church; 804 E street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com

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