Ellen “Ginger” Nave Shell

Published 2:51 pm Monday, October 16, 2017

Ellen “Ginger” Nave Shell, 75, of Elizabethton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday, October 16, 2017, at Brookdale Colonial Heights Assisted Living. She was the daughter of the late Spencer David and Margaret Amelia Price Nave and was born in Carlisle, PA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Christopher L. Nave and a sister, Cynthia Jo Nave.

Mrs. Shell was retired following 30 years of service with the Veteran’s Administration and also served in the United States Army Reserve for 23 years. She was of the Christian faith (member of the United Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap, VA.) She was also a member of the Gardening Club of Big Stone Gap, VA.

She was an intelligent, witty person with a great sense of humor, who spoke English, Spanish and French. She was a scrabble champion, an avid reader, master gardener and loved and supported the arts. She loved animals and was a loving mother who was adored by everyone. Her good heart and beautiful smile will be missed by the many people who loved her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Connie Douglas (Mark), Kingsport; Deborah Webb (John) Jonesborough; a son, James F. Shell (Jennifer), Oak Ridge, TN; four grandchildren, John Zachary Douglas (Brittany) Nashville; Lindsey Ellen Mills (Nick), McDonough, GA; Charles Spencer Shell, Oak Ridge, TN; Greta Marie Shell, Oak Ridge, TN; six great-grandchildren, Jenny, Macee, Jakob, Rylee, Nova and Lukas; five siblings, Margaret Hughes; Spencer David Nave; Tom Nave; Tony Nave and Tedd Simerly.  Several nieces, nephews and four special friends, Pat Smith, Alma Montgomery, Sharon Crowe and Shelby Hyder also survive.

A service to honor the life of Mrs. Shell will be conducted on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with J. Mark Douglas, her son-in-law, officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday prior to the service.  Rolling Thunder will conduct a vigil during the visitation.

The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 11:00 AM in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be members of Rolling Thunder who will also escort the funeral procession. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Jon Shell, bagpiper. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:00 AM on Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Elizabethton/Carter County Humane Society, P.O. Box 134, Elizabethton, TN  37644 or Holston Habitat for Humanity, 100 Greenwood Lane, Kingsport, TN 37663.

The family is very grateful to all the staff at Brookdale Colonial Heights, Assisted Living, and Amedysis Hospice of Kingsport for the love and care shown to Mrs. Shell and the family.

Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Shell and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, office 423-542-2232, obituary line 423-543-4917.