Funeral services for James Hamilton Shell, 86, of Winnsboro will be held 10 AM Monday, April 12, 2021, at First United Methodist Church Winnsboro with Rev. George Bates and Rev. Fran Guy officiating under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home. Interment to follow in Providence Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 - 7 PM Sunday, April 11, 2021 at the church.
Born in Monroe, LA February 19, 1935 to Steven Curtis Shell and Jessie Mae Pankey Shell and passed from this life on April 6, 2021 in West Monroe, LA.
Mr. Shell graduated from Ouachita Parish High School and Northeast Louisiana University earning a degree in Health and Physical Education, a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision and a plus 30 in Administration and Supervision. He completed ROTC at NELAU, was Cadet Colonel of ROTC in his senior year, he was a distinguished military student and received a regular Army Commission, was president of the Scabbard and Blade Society at the college.
Mr. Shell went to officer school at Fort Benning, GA were he completed Airborne Jump School. He then went to the 82nd Air Borne at Fort Bragg, NC in the 501st Air Borne Battle Group, the 82nd Military Police; from there he went to Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA to the 504 Military Police BN as permanent First Lieutenant. He served three years as a district executive for the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Shell went to work in the Franklin Parish School System coaching at Winnsboro Junior High and later as Principal at Winnsboro Junior High and Winnsboro High School for 18 years. He served as President of the Franklin Parish Principals Association and also President of District Association in LHSAA several times. He married Peggy Traxler July 19, 1958.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors left to cherish his memory include his wife of 62 years Peggy Traxler Shell; one son, James Michael Shell and wife Rhonda; one daughter, Sherry Lee Shell And husband Timothy Carroll; seven grandchildren: Matthew Shell and wife Cristina, Morgan Shell O'Rear and husband Jason, Macy Rutherford and husband Chris, Alec Michael Shell and fianc Casey Sciascia, Hunter Cooper and wife Caitlyn, Zachary Cooper and Brandy Cooper; great grandchildren Gabe and Gunner McKenzie; Addison, Konner, Loxley and Cecilia O'Rear; James and Jackson Rutherford; one sister Lillie Shell Bush and a host of other family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Paul Bartleson, Richard Dickey, Rod Elrod, Thomas Haywood, John Little, Rudy McIntyre, David Randall, Bill Walker and Scott Wiggers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Baldwin, Jerry Bartleson, Bobby Davis, Craig Newton, Jason O'Rear, Mike Williamson and Tupelo Brake Hunting Club Buddies.
The family request that any plan donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Winnsboro or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com

Visitation
First United Methodist Church
Sunday, April 11, 2021
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Winnsboro, LA
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church
Monday, April 12, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Winnsboro, LA
Interment
Providence Memorial Cemetery
Monday, April 12, 2021
Hwy 4 East
Winnsboro, LA 71295