Nancy Ferguson Shell

Nancy Ferguson Shell, 78, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was a life-long resident of the Chattanooga area having grown up and resided in Red Bank for many years before moving to Sale Creek Mountain. Nancy was a graduate of Red Bank High School then completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tennessee Tech University. She spent many years as an educator with both Chattanooga City Schools and Hamilton County Schools serving at Lookout Valley Middle-High School and later as Literacy Specialist at Soddy-Daisy High School. She had a deep-seated and special love for Lookout Valley and considered the Valley kids as “her” kids.

Nancy was a long-time member of Sale Creek Independent Presbyterian Church and an avid Big Orange Volunteer and enjoyed watching Tennessee football as well as both men and women’s basketball. She always felt herself very blessed by her dear and loving family and her precious friends. She adored her dogs through the years: Freckles, Diamond, Rascal and most treasured Josh and Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John B. and Jackie W. Ferguson; infant sister Suellen; brother and sister-in-law, John “Bainy” and Helen Ferguson; and the love of her life and beloved husband, William D. Shell.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Lynn Ferguson Baggett; nephews and niece, Paul (Lori) Baggett, Mark (Kimberly) Baggett, and Julie Ferguson; great nephews and nieces, Taylor Baggett (Emily), Sumner Baggett (Gracie), Lauren (Brylan) Pate and Brandi Stone; and cousin, Valerie (Walter) Starks.

The family would like to especially thank Nancy’s close friends Darrell, Jody, Janet, Carolyn and Jim for their devotion to Nancy over the years. We would like to also thank Katie Hamby as well as the nurses and caregivers of Right At Home In Home Care & Assistance and Hearth Hospice for the wonderful care they all provided Nancy.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 2:00 with visitation one hour prior at 1:00 at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN., with Minister Phil Evaul, Sale Creek Independent Presbyterian Church, officiating, burial will follow the service in Standifer Cemetery on Sale Creek.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN37415 www.lanefh.com 423-877-3524.