WILLIAMSTON, NC – Wilma Lee Minton Smith Stell, age 76, formerly of Ahoskie, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2017, at the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, NC.

Mrs. Stell was born in Ahoskie, Hertford County, NC on September 10, 1940, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Earleen Simons Pearce. Wilma was retired as a Customer Service Representative for Boyette & Robertson Insurance Agency in Ahoskie, where she worked for many years. She enjoyed flower gardening and feeding her hummingbirds, and was a talented quilter, making quilts for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mrs. Stell was very active in the Girl Scouts of America, serving as girl scout leader for over 40 years.  In 1987 Governor Jim Martin honored her for Outstanding Volunteer for her work with the Girl Scouts, of which she was very proud.

Besides her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her first husband, Cecil Earl Smith; two sisters, Arleen Barnes, and Ila Mae Liverman; and a brother, Lloyd Minton, Jr.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Bob C. Stell of Williamston, NC; three daughters, Cathy Piland and husband, Bill of Ahoskie, NC, Janet True and husband, Dave of Smithfield, NC, and Samantha Dunlow and husband, Kevin of Seal Beach, CA; two sisters, Retha Reimer of Charleston, SC, and Selene Thomas of Portsmouth, VA; and a brother, Mallery Minton and wife, Emily of Portsmouth, VA. Also surviving are her precious grandchildren, Leanne Copeland of Scotland Neck, NC; Chris Stroud and wife, Sarah of Ahoskie, NC, Zach Stroud and wife, Candace of Raleigh, NC, and Henri Dunlow of Seal Beach, CA; her great grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Alyssa Roussis of Scotland Neck, NC, Mackenzie Copeland of Scotland Neck, NC, Kaylee Stroud of Ahoskie, NC, and Austin Stroud of Ahoskie, NC; and a special sister-in-law, Judy Willis of Cofield, NC.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 14, 2017, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, and other times at the home of her daughter, Cathy Piland.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 3:00 pm at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, with Rev. Randy Miller officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, NC, 246 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC, 27577, or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search, then type, Wilma Stell.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Stell family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.