Georgia Cole Shell

Georgia Cole Shell, 95, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Sunday, July 30, 2017. She was born September 13, 1921, in Beaumont, to Eliza Webb Cole and Z.T. Cole. Georgia was a lifelong resident of Beaumont and graduate of Beaumont High School, class of 1938. She was also a member of Rosedale Baptist Church her entire adult life.

Georgia held clerical and secretarial positions until becoming a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. During World War II, she did her part in the war effort. While her husband Lloyd was in San Diego in the United States Navy, she was a secretary to the engineers who built Boeing bombers.

Georgia was a woman of many talents, some discovered later in life. She became talented first in painting, then in music. She was a respected member of the Southeast Texas Dulcimer Friends and other regional music groups. Both Georgia and her husband Lloyd participated in many musical events at Heritage Village Center near Woodville, Texas, and at the French Trading Post Museum.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Herbert M. Cole; sisters, Edna Cole Gibson and Ruth Cole Ellison; and her husband of seventy years, Lloyd Shell, Jr.

Georgia is survived by her sons, Lloyd Wayne Shell, of Thibodaux, Louisiana; and James Earl Shell, of The Woodlands, Texas; daughter, Jill Shell Thrash, of Beaumont; sister, Larue Cole Richey; brother Gordon Earl Cole; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to her caregivers in her final months, Shontie Hancock and Rosie Guillory; and to the staff of Heart of Texas Hospice.

A gathering of Mrs. Shell’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 4, 2017, at Broussard’s.

Friends and family may contribute in her memory to Rosedale Baptist Church, 7110 Concord Road, Beaumont, Texas 77708; Heritage Village Center, P.O. Box 888, Woodville, Texas 75979; John J. French Home in care of Beaumont Heritage Society, 2240 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or any organization of one’s choice.