Maxine Sam Shell

MAXINE "SAM" SHELL,  age 85 of Athens, Tenn. passed away Saturday, June 6, 2020, at her residence. She was a native of Monroe County, Tenn., resident of McMinn County most of her life , a daughter of the late Ralph Tracy and Lola Louise Brown Byars, and preceded in death by her husband of 56 years: Robert (Bob) Beecher Shell, Brother: Kenneth Bradford Byars, Two Sisters: Mildred Pearl Byars Markowicz Strickland and Valerie June Byars Sweeton Kennedy. She was a graduate of Sweetwater High School. She started her accounting career at L A Woods in Sweetwater and retired from Athens Plow Company after more than 50 years of service. She was a member of Niota United Methodist Church and loved to travel especially crusing with her husband Robert. She was a true lover  of  children and animals and was a  supporter of St. Jude's Children Hospital and  McMinn Regional  Humane Society.
Survivors: Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law: Bill and Margie Shell of Niota, Tenn., Nieces: Patricia Markowicz Swafford Harris, Phyllis Sweeton Bellamy, and Wilma Shell  Nephews: Gary, Darrell, and Bruce Sweeton, Kelley and Jeff Lingerfelt. 
Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday in McMinn Memory Gardens with  Rev. Alex Thompson officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children Hopsital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, Tn. 38101 or McMinn Regional Humane Society, P.O. Box 7, Atthens, Tn. 37371.  Condolences may be sent to www.laycock-hobbs.com/notices/Maxine-Shell. Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. in charge of arrangements.