Katherine Marie Hess

On January 23, 2018, Katherine Marie Shell Hess entered into eternal rest after 94 happy years of life. Born in Riverview, Wise County, Virginia on August 30, 1923, Katherine was the last remaining child of John Otis Shell and Lou Culbertson Shell. Katherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard Hess, her great-grandson Luke Ravenberg, her parents, and her sisters and brothers Beulah Williams, Earl Shell, Samuel Shell, Myrtle Lowe, Madge Dye, and Joe Bill Shell, and many other relatives and friends. Katherine loved and was greatly loved by her two daughters Judith Hess Jones and husband Roy of Blacksburg and Linda Hess McGlothlin of Richlands. Katherine is also survived by her grandchildren Britt Ravenberg and husband Chris, Chelle Carini, Heather McGlothlin, Ingrid Johnson, Jennifer Jones, Meredith Jaggard and husband Alex, and Katherine Lines and husband Rand. She is survived by her great-grandchildren Cole Carini, Emma Ravenberg, Neil Carini, Ciaran McNulty, Sean Ravenberg, Russ Carini, and Mabel Baker. Katherine attended Richlands High School where her best subject was Latin. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle worker. Katherine often said she had been blessed with a wonderful, long life much like her mother and other relatives who lived into their nineties and beyond. Katherine was a devoted wife and nurturing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She created a loving and happy home for her family while enjoying personal accomplishments. Katherine was a renowned cook and seamstress and shared these talents with family and friends. Having lived through the Great Depression, Katherine learned the value of hard work and careful savings. During World War II, she served as a Woman Munitions Worker at the Radford Arsenal, building armaments for the U. S. Forces. She later went to work at the Mattie Williams Hospital in Richlands. After retirement, she cared for her family and was active in her church and the Westfork Circle. Katherine was a member of Richlands Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. She never lost her wit and sense of humor and was grateful for every day. Katherine was blessed with wonderful care by Dr. Larry Mitchell, Dr. M. J. Thakker, and MSA Hospice staff who provided outstanding medical and spiritual support. The wonderful staff at Commonwealth Senior Living in Cedar Bluff showered Katherine with love and tender care. A celebration of Katherine’s life will be held Friday, January 26, 2018 at 12:00pm at the at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum #4 at Claypool Hill, Virginia with Rev. Dr. Paul Min and Rev. Matthew Vance officiating. Entombment will follow. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Katherine Marie Hess

August 30, 1923 - January 23, 2018