Opal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her family was her life, and she expressed that with her love and generosity.  She was an avid bowler having played in a league for more than forty-five years.  Another real love and talent of hers was her ability to cook.  She cooked often for her family and many friends.  She ended her working career doing what she loved most—cooking for the children in the Roanoke Rapids School System, mainly Belmont Elementary School.  Opal was loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Mrs. Shell was  born   to the late Samuel James Cobb and Blanche Barham Cobb on October 14, 1927, and was also predeceased by her  husband, Thomas Shell, Sr; her brothers:  Howard, Sam Hix, Preston, Leland, Bobby, and Billy Cobb, and her sisters: Ophelia Cobb and Mary Lee.

She is survived by her sons:  Thomas Shell, Jr. and wife, Evelyn, of Middleburg, Florida, and Tony Shell and wife, Sandra, of Glen Allen, Virginia; two sisters: Maxine Waters and husband, Richard, of Greer, South Carolina, and Aldine Parks and husband, Perry, Sr., of Roanoke Rapids;  her grandchildren:  Kevin Shell and wife, Jennifer, of Richmond, Virginia, Tracy Shell Henderson and husband, Matt, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Tony Shell, Jr. of Richmond, Virginia,Lindsey Shell and Travis Shell of Middleburg, Florida; great-grandchildren: Meagan and Katelyn Henderson and Sadie Shell.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 19, 2010 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service at 1:00 P.M. conducted by Dr. Richard Waters.  Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 7 to 8:30 P.M. at the funeral home and from 12 noon until 12:45 P.M. prior to the service on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Home Health and Hospice of Halifax, 1229 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway, Roanoke Rapids, N. C. 27870 or VCU Massey Cancer Center, 401 College Street, PO Box 980037, Richmond, VA 23298-0037.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.