Nell Frances Newell

Newell Yadkinville- Mrs. Nell Frances Newell, 91, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin. She was born February 26, 1922 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Glover and Lula Robertson Grainger. Mrs. Newell married Palmer Morgan "Pat" Newell, who preceded her in death. While her husband served in World War II, Mrs. Newell joined the league of women called "Rosie the Rivetors" to do her part in the war effort building B-29 bombers for the Allied Forces. She loved the time she spent at ball games watching her husband play semi-professional baseball as a catcher. She then went to work with General Motors in Flint, Michigan, and retired with several years of service. While at GM, she was able to pursue her interest of golf, and scored a hole-in-one as an amateur. Mrs. Newell was a charter member and the oldest living member of Maplewood Baptist Church in Yadkinville. She was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family, and was proud of each of their accomplishments. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Alwilda Higginbotham, and by a brother, Morris Grainger. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Frances and Donald Lee Johnson, Yadkinville; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Donna and Michael L. Wilson, Winston-Salem; great-grandchildren, Morgan Wilson, Winston-Salem, Lucas Wilson, Raleigh; sister, Dorothy Fuller, Birmingham, Al; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Sunday at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. Her funeral service will follow the visitation at 3:00 PM Sunday in the Gentry Family Chapel by Rev. Jimmy Lancaster and Rev. Richard Eskew. Burial will follow in Yadkin Memorial Gardens. Flowers will be appreciated or friends may make a memorial gift in her name to Maplewood Baptist Church Picnic Shelter Fund, PO Box 576, Yadkinville, NC 27055. The family would like to express their gratitude to Mrs. Newell's friends and special caregivers, Maria Cruz, Michelle Blevins, and Sharon Cave, for all the loving care given to her. The family were overwhelmed and grateful for the compassionate care Mrs. Newell received during her stay at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, rehab Center, 2nd Floor and ICU> Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.