Artesia Hawkins Shells

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Artesia Hawkins Shells went home to glory in her sleep while at Mercy Health hospital on Wednesday June 3rd, 2026. She is preceded by her parents, Anderson Hawkins, Sr., and Lennie Kirksey Hawkins, her three brothers, Stephen Hawkins, Bernard “Cheek” Hawkins, and Anderson “Midget” Hawkins Jr., her sister Magelene Flowers, and her beloved, devoted, husband Pastor Lawrence E. Shells.

Artesia was born on September 3, 1935, in Alliance Ohio, to Anderson Hawkins Sr. and Lennie Kirksey Hawkins. After graduating from Alliance High School in 1953, she attended Akron Barber College for Cosmetology, graduating with a manager's license, continuing throughout her life to be a hairstylist. She married Pastor Lawrence Shells on September 27, 1953, and remained married until he himself went home to his heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. They had a loving marriage of nearly 54 years that produced four brilliant daughters that continue to carry on their legacy of love, family, and faith. As well as a lifelong homemaker and a dedicated First Lady of Christian Bible Baptist Church, Artesia also had a career in fashion retail at Dillards and Country Casuals in Liberty Ohio. After the passing of her husband Pastor Lawrence Shells, she became a dedicated member of Friendship Baptist Church of Girard, Ohio. She also worked as a staff member at Family Christian Bookstore in Boardman, Ohio, from where she retired. In her free time, Artesia took pride in her crochet, cooking, and puzzle skills. A noted scrabble wiz, Artesia bested her family at the table often, with grace and love.

Artesia was a gentle, kind, witty woman that brightened any room she walked into. She never met a baby she would not hold, or a soul she would not comfort. She was, and is still, the glowing star in our family universe, and she will be missed so dearly that no words, no gesture, no weeping, could ever express just how much. Our grief is our love, for our dear Tia, persevering. Although we cry, we take comfort in knowing she served her mission for the Lord while on Earth and is now rejoicing in Heaven.

Mrs. Shells is survived by her sister Desiree Farise, her four daughters, Sharon E. Davis (Rochester, NY), Crystal D. Shells (Boardman, OH), Attorney Lori L. Shells (Dwayne) Simmons (Liberty, OH), Stacey L. Shells (Canfield, OH), her three grandchildren, Melissa A. Davis (Charlotte, NC), George T. Conne (Austintown, OH), and Geordyn L. Conne (Akron, OH), and her two great grandchildren India and Ekai (Hudson, OH).

We wish to send a heartfelt thank you to our mother's outstanding team who enabled her to live these 90 years, including her longtime primary care physician Dr Maged Awadalla and his team at Southwoods Health, Dr. Richard Esper and staff of Southwoods Cardiology, the Mercy Health 6th Floor, Sacred Arms Home Care, her occupational therapist Andy, and Mary Chatman, her longtime care giver and family friend. The Lord's Blessings on you! 

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 9, 2026 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman Street, Youngstown, OH.  A Celebration of Life service will follow at  11:00 a.m.

Ministry of comfort, love and dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

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