Profile Image
Joe Russell Shell
November 24, 2021

Obituary

Joe Russell Shell, age 76, left his loving family peacefully, after a brief illness on November 24, 2021. He is survived by his best friend of 31 years, his wife, Danette. She loved and respected him more than any man she ever knew. Danette took care of Joe to his last breath. Joe is also survived by his children Jason (Melissa), Lydia, Michael (Kim), as well as 6 grandchildren whom he loved very much-Cassie, Maxwell, Alexandria, Devin, Jordan & Jade. In Savannah Georgia he leaves behind his Mother Eliza, Brother Morris, Sisters Sandra, Susie, Sharon and their families’ including1 niece, 2 nephews and a TON of cousins. He was predeceased by his Father and one son.
Joe was born on September 4, 1945 to loving parents Morris & Eliza in Garden City Georgia, where he grew up and attended school. At age 13, in 1958, he decided on his own to dedicate his life to Jehovah God and never wavered in his faith for the rest of his life. He began full time evangelizing at age 17, along with his first assignment to a Bible Study Group. In High School he conducted several bible studies and at age 19 he willingly and excitedly left home to help a small town in Manchester Georgia where there was a need for more evangelizers. At one point he attended a Kingdom Ministry School in upstate NY for congregation elders,(being the youngest one in the class) and later in 1985 he went to another school for Full Time Kingdom Evangelizers in New London, CT. During this time he did many, many different jobs including owing a business cleaning high rise building windows in Atlanta, apartment maintenance, selling shoes, selling cars, and a being photographer.
Joe lived in Georgia until 1982 when he moved to Connecticut where he remained until his death. On and off throughout his life he always had in his sights returning to full time evangelizing, which he did many times, even giving up prized possessions (a cool 69 mustang) and good paying jobs. He always yearned to return to Georgia to live at home again, but was never able. His heart was always n Georgia with his family.

1990 Joe married his best friend, confidant and care giver, Danette. Many said he was the happiest he’d ever been with his best friend by his side. Together they loved being together whether it was preaching, dancing, visiting friends or just holding hands. He would tell everyone how much he appreciated her attentive loving care. Together they ran a successful photography business for over 25 years and had lots of fun and made many friends.
Joe was known as a good listener, a kind and gentle person, a great storyteller, commenter and for his humble heartfelt prayers, as if a child talking to his father. He aided many to dedicate their lives to Jehovah God. Joe left footprints of love, gentleness and kindness on everyone he ever met. He loved reading the bible and talking about it to anyone he could. He read the bible from cover to cover at least 5 times, and got so very excited at seeing bible prophecy fulfilled in our lifetime. He never complained about all his chronic illnesses and pain but always had a beautiful smile on his face. His heart burned to serve God the best he could through all his ailments. Joe was a true Bible student who had complete confidence in Jehovah God's promise of a paradise earth. He wanted everyone to know this truth from the Bible and spoke to everyone he could get to listen to him. He was loyal and faithful to his last breath.
The memorial service celebrating Joe’s life will be on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 2 PM ET on Zoom. Contact family for the Zoom link information or for a printed version of his life story at [email protected]

Content is coming soon...
Hartford Community Funeral Home & Cremation
380 Maple Ave.
Hartford, CT 06114
860-246-0700