Shelby Eller Avery

Shelby Eller Avery, 86, of Murphy went home to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, August 9, 2025 with her step-son Johnathan by her side. She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County and was born a triplet. She was a 1958 graduate of Hiwassee Dam High School. After high school she helped her parents babysit and work on the farm. She met her husband David Avery who was a neighbor of a near by farm and they fell in love. Shelby was a lifelong member of the Field of the Woods Church of God. She loved hiking, working in her flowers, animals (including her special dog Lady), and loved spending time with her family and friends.
Shelby was the daughter of the late Guy and Ethel Ledford Eller and wife of the late David Avery who passed on June 3, 2019. She was also preceded in death by two sisters; Dorothy Hamby and Susie Ledford; and four brothers, Goldman Eller, Willie Eller, Boyd Eller, and Guindle Eller.
Surviving is her step-son; Johnathan Avery of Murphy, NC; three sisters, Willa Mae Allen of Murphy, NC; Shirley Hensley and husband Owen of Turtletown, TN; and Lorraine Kilpatrick and husband Richard of Murphy, NC; her best friend Joan Miller; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 11, 2025 in the chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Reverend Terry Reamsnyder officiating. Music was provided by Sandy Reamsnyder. Interment took place at the Liberty Community Cemetery with nephews serving as pallbearers.
The family received friends from 12-1:45 pm on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Shelby Eller Avery to the Liberty Cemetery, 340 Liberty Road Murphy, NC 28906 Attn: Arthur West.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.