Obituary of Michael Bailey Schell

Michael “Mike” Bailey Schell passed away at UNC Hospitals on April 15, 2020, while surrounded by close family.  He was fighting to get on a liver transplant list.  He was 29 years old.

Michael was born on April 5, 1991, in Durham, NC.  He graduated from East Chapel Hill High School in 2009 where he was a member of the tennis team, which won the state championship his senior year.  He attended UNC Wilmington.  Michael enjoyed going to Duke basketball and Carolina Hurricanes games, but loved nothing more than spending a week with family at Fripp Island, SC.  He was a general manager at a sandwich shop in Durham.

Michael is survived by his son, Kayden Wilkinson, of Wilmington, NC; his parents, Kim and Bob Schell, of Chapel Hill, NC; his brother, Tyler Schell, of Arlington, VA; his grandparents Ann and Clarence Bailey of Durham NC; and his fiancée, Kylie Trofatter, of Chapel Hill, NC.  He was also loved by his aunts and uncles Pam, Lou, Courtney, Meredith, Sue, and Mike; his cousins Anna, Katie, Stephanie, Chris, and Cate; the mother of his son, Brooke; and his best friend, Mitch.  Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents Betty and Lester Schell, and his great‑grandmother Mama Mac. 

A memorial will take place at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to a college fund for Michael’s son, Kayden, by visiting the following link:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/college-fund-for-kayden

Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill is assisting the family.