Virginia Shell

Virginia Nell Shell passed away peacefully at home Sunday, July 24, 2022. She was surrounded by friends and family. We know she had a joyful reunion with her husband of 67 years, Jack, who passed away last year. A private family graveside service will be held in College Station Friday, August 5. Virginia was born to Walter H. and Flora Nell McKenzie February 11, 1935, in Lubbock, Texas. The family soon moved to Austin to open a bookstore which was often visited by the founding authors of Southwestern Literature. Her father closed the bookstore in 1939 and joined the J.C. Penney organization. The family moved frequently, living in San Antonio, Galveston, and Waxahachie while her father was at sea during World War II. They settled in Corpus Christi in 1950. In December of 1952, Jack was on leave from the Army when he walked into his mother’s music store in Corpus Christi and met the 17 year old accordion teacher, Virginia. The two were soon dating and married on October 19, 1953. They moved to College Station for Jack to complete his degree from Texas A&M. Virginia went to work in the newly formed Meteorology and Oceanography Department plotting high level winds. She was also allowed to audit classes in the department and thus became one of the earliest women to attend classes at Texas A&M. Upon graduation, Jack and Virginia joined her father in Corpus Christi in his insurance business, forming McKenzie and Shell Insurance. They worked together in the business until retiring in 1993 to cruise the Intracoastal Canal up to Chesapeake Bay, and destinations like the Ten-Tom Waterway and the Florida Keys for six years. They settled in College Station where they were active in First Baptist Church in Bryan. Their last years were spent in Waco near family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack H. Shell in August 2021. “Grans” is survived by her sons, Gary and wife, Claire, and Glenn and wife, Amanda; grandchildren, Melissa Hronek and husband, Daniel, Meredith Emmons and husband, Chris, Mark Shell and wife, Morgan, Carolyn Harrell and husband, Danny, and Jason Shell and wife, Carrie; great-grandchildren Ethan, Eli, and Owen Hronek, Walter and Eleanor Emmons, and Naya and Finley Shell. During their time in Bryan-College Station, Jack and Virginia treasured fellowship with the congregation at First Baptist Church in Bryan. Memorials may be made to the church at 3100 Cambridge Dr, Bryan, TX 77802. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.