Carol Lee (Banta) Schell

1933 - 2025

Carol Lee (Banta) Schell, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully entered into the arms of Jesus on October 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 14, 1933, in Flora, Illinois, to the late Washington Lincoln Banta and Iva Marie (Padgett) Banta.

Carol shared 46 wonderful years of marriage with Dwight Schell, the love of her life, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters, Jana Gillstrom (Bob) of Williamsburg, Michigan, and Judi Bargeron (Chuck) of Tybee Island, Georgia. Her legacy also includes her cherished granddaughters, Kerri Kessler (Mike), Kristina Oliver (Adam), and Shannon Bledsoe, as well as her great-granddaughters, Anessa Smith, Maddy Newman, and Sophia Oliver. Carol was also predeceased by her sisters, Lucille Vanwey and Gladys Milligan; her special niece, Peggy Cordes; and her brothers, Bill Banta and Jim Banta.

Dwight and Carol began their married life in Flora, Illinois, before embarking on a series of moves that took them to Indiana, Pennsylvania; Evansville, Indiana; Highland, Illinois; Carmi, Illinois; back to Flora, and finally to Wilmington Island, Georgia, where they settled in the mid-1990s. Throughout their journey, they cultivated enduring friendships in each community they called home.

Carol deeply loved her family and expressed her affection in countless ways throughout her life. A woman of unwavering faith, she faithfully served the Lord through her musical talent, lending her voice to church choirs for most of her life and notably as a member of the gospel trio, The Revelations. Her creative spirit also shone through her talent for designing and sewing wedding dresses, as well as creating clothing for her family. Carol found great joy in reading to children, both for personal pleasure and as a dedicated participant in the Literacy Program. Additionally, she thrived as the manager of Schell's Jewelry, a small shop she and Dwight purchased in Flora in the 1970s. In retirement, after moving to Wilmington Island, Carol continued to share her musical gifts as a member of the choir at Trinity Chapel Methodist Church on Tybee Island.

A celebration of Carol's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9th, at Trinity Chapel Methodist Church on Tybee Island. She will be laid to rest alongside Dwight at a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th, at Elmwood Cemetery in Flora, Illinois. Online condolences can be offered at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Savannah, GA https://foxandweeks.com

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Trinity Chapel Methodist Church (designate Memorial Fund for Music Program), PO Box 1203, Tybee Island, GA 31328. Online donations can be made at: https://trinitychapelcmethodistchurch.churchcenter.com/giving or via Zelle at pwtrinitychapel@gmail.com