Jerry was born in Conover, NC, October 28, 1931. He was the youngest of the eight children of Alvin Osborne (Jack) Schell and Essie Mae Rowe Schell. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and six of his siblings. He is survived by one brother, Joseph Schell and wife Louise of Conover.
Also surviving is his wife of 65 years, Leona Wilkie Schell and his children; son Duane Schell and wife Merrill of Banner Elk, NC; daughter Nancy Schell Eddins and husband Wayne of Chesterfield, SC; and son Michael Schell of Hickory, NC. Four grandchildren; Derek Schell and wife Laura of Highlands, NC; Stephen Eddins and wife Lyles of Charlotte, NC; Laura Emily Schell currently working and living in Thailand; and Scott Eddins and wife Rebecca of Columbia, SC. Four great-grandchildren; Coleman and Brockman Eddins of Charlotte; Charleigh Sydney Eddins of Columbia, SC; and Esai Schell of Highlands, NC.
Jerry graduated from Newton-Conover High School in 1951 and immediately accepted his call to service in the Air Force. Following his four years in the Air Force, he attended Clevenger College in Hickory and earned a degree in business and accounting.
Jerry was a lifelong avid Duke and Yankees fan. He was also an active participant in Hibriten High School sports for a number of years, helping any way he could with building the football stadium, and serving as announcer and timekeeper for the football team. He also officiated high school and junior college basketball. He loved to play golf anywhere he could, especially at Cedar Rock with his great group of friends.
Jerry retired from the Purchasing Department at Broyhill Corporate Office in Lenoir, after 30 years with the company.
There will be a memorial service at Zion E & R United Church of Christ on March 18, 2017 at 2:00pm. The Rev. Dr. Steve Butler, and the Rev. Dr. Lee Jessup will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
A private interment will be done at Eastview Cemetery in Newton, NC, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Hamilton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Zion E & R UCC, P.O. Box 744, Lenoir, NC 28645, or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.
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