Mama Shell

As most of you know, my grandmother, "Mama Shell" passed away on Sunday, March 29th. She would have been 90-years-old on April 26th. I still don't think it has fully hit me yet, as I didn't see her one a day to day basis. But I know over the next coming months, the birthdays, holidays and other family functions will seem hollow without her. I appreciate all the support and kind words that I have received over the last few weeks and even months as she was in the hospital for quite some time before her death. It's never easy to lose a loved one, but having great friends and supportive co-workers makes it just a little bit easier.

The following is an excerpt from the program that I designed for her funeral service. I just wanted to share a little bit about her life and my family. Thanks for reading:

Sarah Frances Williams Shell was born in Butler County on April 26, 1919 where she later met the love of her life, Ralph Shell and married in May of 1938. She said the first time she saw him, he was working in a field, and he looked like a bronzed god. Of course, she was a blue-eyed beauty so they were a great pair. On their wedding day, Ralph was arrested for a traffic violation in the big city of Montgomery and his father-in-law had to bail him out of the city jail. They set up house keeping in a two-room tenant farmhouse across from Ralph’s parents. (They called it the goat house because they couldn’t keep the goats from trampling across the front porch and eating her flowers.)

During WWII, Sarah and two-year old Barbara followed Ralph to Charleston, SC where he worked in the Naval Shipyard and where their second daughter, Linda, was born. They returned to Montgomery after the war to a little house her dad had built for the family behind the “BIG” house. Then, the third child and only son, Ron (my dad), was born. He was the apple of the eye for father, grandfather and uncle.

Sarah worked at Montgomery Fair & Gayfers where she retired after almost 40 years. She was a talented and creative homemaker, wonderful cook and avid gardener. She loved to travel with camera in hand to visit family and friends. Gift giving was her trademark. She loved photography, and in her 80’s learned to “surf the web” and use email. She enjoyed many happy years at Morningview Baptist Church where she and Ralph worshiped. Her family was the joy of her life, and in return she was greatly loved by all of her children, grandchildren, extended family and many many friends.

April 26, 1919 - March 29, 2009