Mrs. Faison was born in Halifax County May 5, 1919 to the late Willie H. Shell and Hattie Wood Shell. She became a registered nurse and after a nursing career she later taught Health Occupations at Northwest High School. She was a life-long member of Smith United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Womens Day Circle. She was also known as the “Card Lady” because she made sure to send cards to her church family for all occasions, as well as, making sure ones who were not able to attend church received the church bulletins. She was also a member of the Home Demonstration Club. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Faison is preceded in death by her husband, Malery Elmo Faison, Jr., and her brothers and sisters, James Shell, Jesse Shell, Johnnie Shell, Willie Mae Shell, LauraMae Shell, Nora Lee Collins, Virginia Burgess, and Willie Junior Shell.
Surviving are her four children, Vivian F. Rackley and husband, Houston, Cecil E. Faison and wife,Rebecca, Esther F. Glasgow and husband, Larry, and Mike Faison and wife, Melody, all of Roanoke Rapids; two sisters-in-law, Sally King Faison and Blanche Joyner Shell; five grandchildren, Carla Gardner and husband, Shawn of Roanoke Rapids, Kimberly Glasgow of Roanoke Rapids, April G. Edwards and husband, Russell of Smithfield, Megan Faison and special friend,C.J. Williams of Roanoke Rapids and Mandy Faison of Roanoke Rapids; five great-grandchildren, Edward Gardner, Josh Gardner and special friend, Beth Porch, Daniel Gardner, Lyiah and Mya Williams all of Roanoke Rapids, and one great, great-child, Anna Belle Gardner. Also surviving is a very close friend who she considered a son, Willmon Roberts and his wife, Bessie of Seaboard and life long friends, Lucille Medlin Miles and family.
The family will receive friends, weather permitting, Wednesday, January 26th at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service from 7- 8:30 PM. In case of inclement weather, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service from 1- 2:30 PM which will be held at the funeral home Thursday, January 27th at 3:00 PM. Officiating will be Revs. Curtis Mull, Randy Martin and Charles Morrison. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to Smith UMC Card Ministry, Smith UMC Flower Calendar or Home Health and Hospice of Halifax County.
The family would like to give a heart felt thank you to the nurses, aides, case workers, and special volunteer, Sherry Hannen of Home Health and Hospice of Halifax County, as well as, Dr. Fiorilli and staff at Halifax Medical Specialists.
Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service is handling arrangements where online condolences can be made to www.hockadayfs.com.
