Helen Shell

Lake Junaluska, Helen Knarr Thurmond Whiting Shell, age 89, formerly of Lake Junaluska, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at McKendree Village in Hermitage, Tennessee. Mrs. Shell was born on March 6, 1928 in Henderson, Kentucky to her parents the late William F. "Bill" and Edith Nunn Knarr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, E. Eugene "Gene" Thurmond, Jr., Reverend Thomas A. Whiting and Dr. Donald L. Shell; her sisters, Marilyn East and Edith Dossett; a brother, Robert "Bob" Knarr; a step-daughter, Linda Whiting Porter; and step-son, David Law. Helen graduated from Lone Oak High School in Puducah, Kentucky and attended Murray State College. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church serving as a volunteer in many areas of the local church. She was married to Dr. Thomas A. Whiting, a United Methodist pastor in the North Georgia Conference, where she was active in churches he served. She was employed, over many years, by several boards and agencies of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and ended her working career with the World Methodist Council at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Mrs. Shell is survived by her daughters, Dianne Lee, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee and Peggy Whiting and her husband, Ben Lancaster, of Lake Junaluska; a son, Gene Thurmond and his wife, Chris, of Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren, Andrew Thurmond and his wife, Erin, Chamisa Baker and Nicole Thurmond; and great-grandchildren, Aspen Thurmond, Brennan Coggins and Matthew Melton. Additionally, she is survived by numerous step-children and step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Lake Junaluska Memorial Chapel with Reverend Kathleen M. Wilson officiating. Inurnment will be at Lake Junaluska Columbarium with receiving of friends immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inspiration Point Endowment Fund, Lake Junaluska Assembly, P. O. Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.

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