Stella Mae Honaker Shell, age 76, of the Lewis Creek section of Honaker, Virginia passed away Thursday (January 19, 2023) at her home. Born January 27, 1946 in the Coulwood section of Russell County, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Chester and Jo Ella Honaker. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent twenty-two years traveling the world while her husband was in the U.S. Army. They were stationed in Hawaii, California, Washington, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Germany twice. She sacrificed just as much as he did and received a special commendation from the President for supporting her husband’s service. She raised and cared for their children while he would be gone on military missions for months and even for two years while he served in Vietnam. She was an amazing cook and always tried to feed anyone who came to visit. She had a heart of gold and always put the needs of others before her own. She loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. She prayed nightly for her sisters, brothers and her entire family, as well as for those in need. She always held true to her faith and would often say, “everything is going to be ok”.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Wayne Shell; one infant son, Bobby Wayne Shell; grandson-in-law, Brenten Baker; brothers-in-law, Jerry Smith and Dan Honaker and sister-in-law, Naomi Honaker; maternal grandparents, Charlie and Della Maxfield and paternal grandparents, Ralph and Lena Honaker.
Survivors include three children, Rachel Lucinda and J.B. Powers of Dallas, Oregon, Lisa Sara and Everett Carlton of Abilene, Texas and Clyde Wesley and Zella Shell of Honaker, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brehauna Baker, Tyler Hess, Alexis Thornton and Aaron Powers; three step-grandchildren, Roger Lee Knight, Josh Knight and Julie Haney; two great-grandchildren, Jack and Emma Baker; four sisters, Ann Honaker, Sandy McGlothlin and husband, Ronald, Janie Smith and husband, Rick, and Loretta Lynn Perkins and husband, Steve; five brothers, Dick Honaker, Arch Honaker and wife, Gin; Wood Honaker and wife, Maxie, Ran Honaker, and Roy Honaker and wife, Bev; special niece, Sherry Horton and several nieces, nephews and a host of friends also survive.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Faisal Chaudhry, members of New Garden Rescue Squad, especially paramedic, Dustin Taylor, the staff of Legacy Hospice and TigerX Pharmacy.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 PM Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Perkins and Rev. Rick Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Honaker Cemetery near Nash’s Ford, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.
Pallbearers will be Shannon Smith, Harvey Honaker, Dennis Honaker, Malachi Smith, Caleb Smith, Isaiah Smith, Cody Perkins and Braydon Dales.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Garden Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 966, Honaker, Virginia 24260
The family will receive friends at Honaker Funeral Home after 6 PM Monday.