Nell Daggerhart

Nell McGinnis Austell Daggerhart, age 100, of W. Church St., died Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Hospice at Wendover. She was born on Jacob St. in Cherryville on June 29, 1915 to the late Wiley N. and Mary Ina Eaker McGinnis.

Nell spent her early years operating a village grocery store, which served the Rhyne Houser, Nuway and Howell Mills, with her father and later with her husband, James P. Austell, Jr. The grocery processed all of their meat including making their sausage and livermush. They took orders by phone and made home deliveries. Later in life Nell found employment at the Meade Knitting Mill where she retired as an inspector.

Nell was the not only the oldest member at 100 years, but longest tendered member at 86 years of the First United Methodist Church where she was active. She was truly a Child of God. Also, she was an avid reader and a Red Cross volunteer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband's, James Petty Austell, Jr. in 1973 and Paul Daggerhart in 1995; an infant daughter; and three sisters, Carrie Randall, Zoe Eaker, and Ada Brackett.

Survivors include her children, Mary Ann Spencer and husband, David of Chapel Hill and Robert Austell and wife, Caryl of Cherryville; six grandchildren, Teesie A. Smith (Danny), Kim A. Crane (Stephen), Sharon S. Ariosto, David M. "Dee" Spencer Jr. (Courtney), Amy A. Turner (David) and Elizabeth A. Shuford (Lee), fourteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Nell's life will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, February 21, 2016 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Collins, D. Min. officiating. Burial will be private at City Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday at the church from 1:30-2:45 PM and at other times at the home of Bob and Caryl Austell.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 601 N. Pink St, Cherryville, NC 28021 or to Hospice at Wendover, 951 Wendover Heights Dr., Shelby, NC 28150.