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“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” — Romans 14:8 (ESV).

Our beloved Wanda “Ann” Shell passed peacefully into glory on July 1, 2022, at 5:52 p.m., surrounded by love and prayers of her family. Services to celebrate her life and love will be held on Saturday, July 9, for 11 a.m., at the Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home and Crematory in Bogalusa. Visitation will begin Saturday, July 9, at 10 a.m. A post funeral home gathering will take place immediately following at John and Sherry Simon’s home located at 14 Simon Lane in Poplarville, Miss.

Ann was born in Winnfield on May 10, 1946, to Virgil Hardy Cole and Myrtle Lee (Head) Cole. She lived in Sikes and Winnfield for most of her life, before moving to her final home(s) of Bogalusa, and Poplarville, with her beloved daughters.

She was a devout Christian and loved to listen to gospel music, especially The Gaither Homecomings, Vestal and Howard Goodman, and others of the kind. She proudly worked at the Winn Parish CCA for 15 years. She loved her family dearly and loved spending time with them. She especially loved playing and singing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As her family, we never had to wonder, even for a moment, just how much she loved us all. She made sure we knew a thousand times over that she loved us all heart and a bushel and a peck. She and her sister, Eloyce, both shared a love and passion for any and all flowers and plants of all kinds, and they were both avid gardeners together. She loved to cook, and especially bake. She had a talent for making cakes with intricate floral designs. She also loved having family game and movie nights, as well as crocheting many beautiful pieces for her family and friends. She loved watching cooking shows and a good Hallmark love story too.

She is survived by her two daughters, Regina Ann Gibson Burns and Sherry Lee Martin Simon (John); her two stepsons, Charles “LaVerl” Shell and John “Lowell” Shell (Paula); her daughter-in-law, Becky Jordan Shell (Steve); her first husband and dear friend, Willard Thomas “Tom” Gibson Jr.; her sister-in-law, Jammie Cole; five granddaughters, Heather Fasola (Blake), Amanda Coleman (Shawn), Jeannie Jordan, Samantha Jordan (Justin) and Hannah Galloway (Dustin); three grandsons, Robert “Rob” Jordan Jr. (Heather), James Shell and Justin Shell (Konni); her numerous great-grandchildren, Richard “R.J.” Jerrell III, Preston Stogner, Aden Coleman, Cadyn Stogner, Angel Jordan, Jaden Fasola, KaRissa Shell, Jordan Fasola, Presleigh Coleman, Jayce Jordan, Landon Jerrell, Luke Galloway, Lillie Mae Shell, Wyatt Jordan, Greyson Fasola, Gracie Lynn Galloway and Hallie Mae Jordan; her five nieces and nephews, Theresa Cutright, Cheryl Whitehead (Karl), Robin Cole Kirk (David), Sandy Williams and Ray Cole Jr. (Tracy); her cousin and dear sister, Fran Clamp; and a multitude of other family and friends. Last but most certainly not least, her sweet Chihuahua baby, Peanut.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles LaVerl Shell Sr.; her parents, Virgil and Myrtle Cole; her sisters, Eva Nell Cole and Pearl “Eloyce” Phillips (Jack Phillips); her brother, Arnold “Ray” Cole Sr.; her son-in-law, David Matthew Martin; her daughter-in-law, Diane Shell; her grandson, Heero Xavier Cullen; her nephew-in-law, Frankie Cutright; and her dear friend and honorary sister, Barbara Ellen Gibson.

Honorary pall bearers are Robert Jordan Jr., Blake Fasola, Dustin Galloway, John Simon, Justin Stogner, Richard “R.J.” Jerrell III, and Jaden Fasola.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” — Revelation 21:4 (NLT).

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth the is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing.” — 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice (www.ehab.com). All donations will be going towards families unable to afford funerals, etc. for their loved ones.