Allen Keith Schell of Seven Lakes, formerly of Lumberton, entered his heavenly home on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the age of 69.
Keith was born in Red Springs to the late Furman Schell and Dorothy Schell Stevens. He was a graduate of Red Springs High School, where he was an outstanding baseball player. His playing abilities earned him a baseball scholarship to Sandhills Community College, where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Keith spent many years serving the City of Lumberton and retired as the Director of Planning and Inspection.
Keith was a kind and generous man. He served on mission trips to Mexico to build houses for families and was a faithful supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
He never met a dessert he didn’t like or passed up a potential deal. Keith enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching baseball, and traveling. He and Vicki traveled overseas and around the US. Keith said the two-month RV trip out West was their best trip ever.
He enjoyed tinkering in his workshop. In his later years, Keith became an avid antique car enthusiast, acquiring and restoring classic cars. He said he often wished he had kept the ’67 Mustang he drove when he was a teenager. Most important to Keith were family and friends. He was “always glad to see you” and had a big smile.
Keith is survived by his son, Brandon Schell; his daughter, Jamin Kozak, and her husband, Bill; his sister, Diane Sykes, and her husband, Billy; Keith especially loved all of his grandkids; Cameron and Harper Schell, Jordyn and Koa Kozak.
Also left to mourn Keith are his loving companion and best friend, Vicki Branch Berry, and her children, David Berry, and Cathleen Berry, and her grandchildren, Emily, Tristan, Declan, Ian, Norah, and Matthew.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, March 31, 2023, in the Alloway Cemetery Red Springs.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Keith, memorials may be made to a charity of your choosing.
Care of the family is entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home-Aberdeen.
