ELEANOR McINVALE SHELL
Shell, Eleanor McInvale, age 77, passed from this life at the Hospice of West AL in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 12 to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born Nov. 14, 1938. She will be greeted by a whole host of loved ones and friends. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was loved by everyone she met and was a servant to her fellow man. She helped take care of her late mother when she had a serious illness and took care of her late father-in-law when he was seriously ill. Her favorite verses in the Bible were Ruth 1:16, 17 which was all about love. Her life epitomizes these verses.
As an accomplished pianist, Eleanor played for the Lake Park Baptist Church in Lake Park, Fla. during the 1960’s. She loved gospel music and played for her family to sing and at church gatherings. She played for numerous singing schools during the fifties and she remained a great fan of gospel music until her death.
She was valedictorian of her senior class at Georgiana High School class of ’56. She was also secretary of the senior class and she was secretary of the Student Council in her senior year. She was voted best personality in her junior year. She was President of the National Honor Society in her senior year. She attended Girls State for leadership during her junior year in recognition of her leadership ability. She was a member of numerous other clubs at Georgiana High School. She was a member of the Guyton Sunday school class at Calvary Baptist in Tuscaloosa. She gave her time volunteering for church, school and civic projects over the years. She was a charter member of the Eastlake Garden Club and served as treasurer for many years. The club did many civic projects.
Eleanor is survived by her husband of 54 years, William Murphy Shell and two children, Lara Ann Eide and David Brian Shell and one grandson, Ralph William Eide, III.
She is the daughter of James Albert McInvale and the late Ila Mae McInvale. She was also pre deceased by three brothers, James, Julian and Jewel (Louise) and one sister, Annie Elizabeth Black (Harry T.). She is also survived by one sister, Frances Robinson (Carl Fletcher). She is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Doris and Wylene McInvale. She is also survived by over 75 nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice of West AL and Staff of DCH sixth floor south for their loving care of our loved one. Pallbearers were her McInvale nephews and Shell cousins and honorary pallbearers were her grandson, family, Maymie and Hillary Jeffcoat, Edie Daughtrey and the staff of Hospice of West AL.
Services for Eleanor were directed by Johnson Funeral Home in Georgiana as follows: a wake was held on Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the body lay in state one hour before the funeral on Sept. 17. The funeral was held at the Brushey Creek Baptist Church on Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. with interment in the Brushey Creek Cemetery. Brother Randy Harvill conducted the funeral service and the graveside service at the cemetery.