Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 8, 2016

Georgia Lorraine Porter Shell left this life on July 8, 2016. She was 95 years old and died peacefully in her sleep. Lorraine was born in Alliance, Nebraska on May 23, 1921. An early challenge in her life was the death of her father when she was thirteen. She and her two brothers were raised by her mother Mable Porter, and during this time Lorraine developed her strongly held values of love of family, love of friends, self sufficiency, independence, hard work, and her belief that she could accomplish anything. She truly was a pioneer woman in a world dominated by men.

At age 18, Lorraine became the first woman pilot in the state of Nebraska. After high school, she met and married Vernon M. Shell, Jr of Arden, NC. Her husband was wounded in World War II, and Lorraine helped nurse him back to health at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, Co. After Vernon's recovery, Lorraine and Vernon settled in Charlotte NC and had two children: Vernon III and Michael. In 1954 Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy which was successful. Her will to be with her family and her strong desire to live made her a cancer survivor of 62 years. Her experience with cancer encouraged Lorraine to be one of the first women to develop a health consciousness about food and life style. She became the family's holistic physician. After recovery from her operation, she continued to raise her children and work simultaneously. She found a new career that would allow her the flexibility to serve her family and manage work outside the home. She started at the bottom as a residential real estate agent and her determination and competitive spirit quickly made her successful. She became a master of her trade and became one of Charlotte's top producing agents. As her children grew, Lorraine endured the pangs of worry during the Vietnam era. She bore the stress of one son serving in Viet Nam and the other being an activist protesting against the war. Her focus on her work helped her deal with the stresses of family. After 32 years in residential real estate, she retired and spent much of her time caring for her children and her grandchildren. She never turned down an invitation to baby sit. She also spent much of her time with her "pot luck" circle of friends and her life companion Harold Williams. In the final chapter of her life, she endured the loss of her mother, her husband, her oldest son, her life companion, her two brothers, and numerous friends. She leaves her enduring legacy of courage, determination, and love of family as an example for her children and grandchildren. Lorraine is survived by her son Michael P. Shell, her grandson M. Scott Shell, her granddaughter Jaclyn S. Shell, and her grandson Brian P. Shell.

Memorial service will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Myers Park Baptist Church with the Reverend Joseph Aldrich officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a commemorative gift be given to Myers Park Baptist Church (in memory of Georgia Lorraine Porter Shell). 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207-2582, 704-334-7232

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Phone: 704 641-7606