Shella Hollowell

Shella Miles Strother Hollowell, 81, died Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Novant Health CDC in Charlotte, N.C., after a period of declining health. She was born Friday,  Aug. 25, 1939, in Kinston, N.C., the first child of Eugenia Rice Strother and John Paul “Jake” Strother, both of whom predeceased her. She was the granddaughter of the late Hyman Ellison and Mattie Miles Rice of Kinston, and Shella Lewis and Alfred Thomas Strother of Candor, N.C.

Shella Miles grew up in Lenoir County and graduated from Grainger High School in 1956, at the age of 16. Determined, driven and a life-long pursuer of knowledge, she earned a bachelor of arts degree in history, with honors, in 2015 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Born with an insatiable appetite to achieve and an innate ear for music, she began picking out songs on her “pint sized” baby grand at age 4, and continued her love for music throughout her lifetime. She played the piano at many occasions, especially while she lived in Kinston. She also was an accomplished flutist and an outstanding student.

Also gifted with the pen, she wrote continuously throughout her life, including letters to hundreds of friends and family everywhere and of course, her annual Christmas letter.  In 1986, she published a book of poetry, “From the Wheels of Old Betsy,” about her life and family during her child-rearing years. She also was published in “Guideposts Magazine.”

On Aug. 1, 1959, she married the love of her life and her high school sweetheart, Billy Hollowell, also of Kinston. In their 61 years of marriage, they reared four outstanding children.

Early in their marriage, she worked at East Federal Savings and Loan in Kinston. Soon after the birth of their first child, they moved to Raleigh, N.C, and their second daughter was born. Eventually, Charlotte, N.C., became home for life, and their third daughter and a son completed the family. They were active members of Dilworth
United Methodist Church in Charlotte.

They left Charlotte twice for Florida - first to Tampa, and then, Jacksonville,  where she worked as a medical transcriptionist at the Mayo Clinic. However, they always were glad to get back “home” to Charlotte.

A beautiful person both inside and out, Shella Miles was a friend to all.  Extraordinarily well read, she was a great conversationist,  loved people and enjoyed spending time sharing interests. She loved deeply and held many causes near and dear to her heart, which she could defend with a passion. She was an extraordinary mother, wife, gifted writer and musician, family historian, avid reader, lover of nature and animals, advocate for those in need and protector of the environment. Her “quiet place” was in her home library, surrounded by thousands of books which she had read and collected over the years. It was the place of her inspiration.

A master at organization, she took thousands of pictures and created countless photo albums of her life with her family. She efficiently identified each picture, with a typewritten note on the back, including the date it was taken. She also was adept at compiling and framing family composites and interesting artwork. Her quest for old books and history often led her to antique shops, where she could browse for hours and find special treasures to share with loved ones.

Shella Miles was especially proud of her children and grandchildren and developed a special relationship with each of them. She loved to share their accomplishments with her friends and family. They enjoyed many large family gatherings throughout the year.

While able physically, she enjoyed swimming and water aerobics at the Y. She loved trips to the beach where she was inspired by the ocean's beauty and the salt air. The family often dined at the Sanitary Seafood Restaurant in Morehead City (her favorite).

Shella Miles is survived by her husband of 61 years, William G. Hollowell; three daughters, Mary Melanie Marsh, of Nashville, TN., Merrill Page Keeley, of Greensboro, and Marian Miles Scott, of Charlotte; and a son, William Miles Hollowell, also of Charlotte. Also are three sons-in-law, Brian Marsh, Chuck Keeley and John Scott; a daughter-in-law, Catie Starr Hollowell; nine grandchildren, Graham Taylor Marsh, Ashley Elizabeth M. Shearer (and husband, Jacob), Charles Allen Styer “Charlie” Keeley V,  Fletcher Miles Keeley, Joseph Paul “Jake” Keeley, Joshua William Scott, Andrew Paul Siler Scott, Thomas Jacob “TJ” Scott and Charlotte Ellison Scott; one great-grandchild, Nathan Shearer. Also are a sister, Mary Ellison Turner, two brothers-in-law, Lyn Turner and Tommy Hollowell, sisters-in-law, Paula Hollowell and Ruth Fields, all of Kinston. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Donald Ray Hollowell.

Also surviving is her special Jack Russell Terrier, Bindi Sue, her constant fur baby companion whom she loved with all her heart.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000, or the SPCA of Charlotte, NC., or your local shelter.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com