Christopher Shella, 50, of Durham, N.C., died on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, N.C. following an extended illness. He was born in Statesville, N.C., on March 31, 1971, and was the son of Burell Shella and the late Emmaline Ellison Shella. He was married to Angela Meeks Shella, who survives. In addition to his mother, he was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Roscoe and Margaret Sheller, Fannie Mae Sheller, Carl Ellison and Lena Mackin Ellison, and his mother-in-law, Priscilla Meeks.

Mr. Shella was the CEO and Founder of Black Wall Street Investments, LLC, in Durham, N.C. He graduated from Morehouse College, University of Texas at Austin, and University of London.

In addition to his wife Angela of the home and his father, Burell Shella, he leaves to cherish the memory of his life his son, Christopher Burell Shella Jr. of Durham, N.C.; his step-mother, Louise Shella of Greensboro; two sisters, Kimberly Shella of Illinois and Melissa Ann (Robert) Teachey of Arlington, Va.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edgar (Patricka) Meeks of New Jersey, Kenneth (Debbie) Meeks of Maryland, Renee Meeks, Willard (Edna) Meeks, Keith Meeks, and Robert (Jean) Meeks, all of Long Island, N.J.; two nephews, Elliott Stanley and London “J.R.” Stanley; his father-in-law, Willard Meeks Sr. of Florida; aunts and uncles including, Estelle Burton, Eloise Goss, Geraldine Fleming, Betty Durtte, Kenneth Shella, and James William Ellison; and a host of cousins, other relatives, neighbors and friends.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Shella will be conducted Friday, September 10, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, 603 South Center Street, Statesville, NC  28677. Pastor Tewanna Myers will officiate and burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery.

Members of the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:30 until 2 p.m.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Shella at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Shella Family.