ELLIS EARL HARRELL
Aug. 13, 1932-Aug. 11, 2018
Ellis Earl Harrell, 85, Dudley, peacefully passed away Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at Wayne UNC Health Care surrounded by his family.
A native of Wayne County, he was born Aug. 13, 1932, to the late Lee Edward Harrell and Bethana Pierce Harrell.
He grew up on a farm in the Corbett Hill community, the youngest of seven children.
Ellis was a 1951 graduate of Grantham High School, and a veteran of the United States Army.
He grew up attending Eureka Christian Church in Grantham, and later became a member at Brogden United Methodist Church. In most recent years he returned to worship at Eureka Christian Church where he was a member and former trustee.
The true definition of an entrepreneur, Ellis owned and operated several business ventures during his 85 years — farming at Corbett Hill, Harrell’s Well Boring Service, several mobile home parks, Harrell’s Mobile Home Sales and Service, Harrell’s Mini-Storage, Hereford Hills Apartments and Harrell’s Lazer Wash.
Over the years, Ellis met countless people and was able to cultivate many lifelong friendships. He enjoyed the chance to sit down and talk, sometimes for hours with family and friends. What he enjoyed most was sharing his thoughts and offering advice on topics ranging from personal life lessons to his extensive business knowledge.
A service to celebrate Ellis’ life will be held Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Eureka Christian Church, with his pastor, the Rev. Frank Purvis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Ellis is survived by his wife, Janet Naylor Barefoot Harrell; five children, John Harrell and wife, Sheila, of Goldsboro, Jim Harrell and wife, Beverly, of Goldsboro, Jenny Hardee and husband, Glenn, of Kinston, Paul Harrell and wife, Marie, of Lexington, S.C., and Ann Barnes and friend, Joseph Alford, of Washington; two stepchildren, Thomas Barefoot and wife, Minda, of High Point and Joni Alford and husband, Forest, of Smithfield; 11 grandchildren, David Harrell, Jena Kivett, Lauren Chandler, Jim Bish, Scott Harrell, Daniel Harrell, Laken Barnes, Thomas Barnes, Claire Barnes, Grace Harrell and Elsie Harrell; seven stepgrandchildren, Jennifer Alford, Meagan Collins, Josh Alford, Andrew Barefoot, Ashley Sullivan, Haley Warren and Kayla McCurry; three great-grandchildren, Brayden, Caydence and Corynn; eight stepgreat-grandchildren, Landon, Kayla, Skyla, Chase, Griffin, Logan, Cylus and Brayden; a very special little girl, Bree Ann Williams; and many special nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Elbert Harrell, Gilmer Harrell and Gordon Harrell; three sisters, Alma Williams, Olive “Ollie” Britt and Dorothy Denning; a grandson, Douglas “Doug” Harrell; a stepgrandson, McKinley McCurry; and a stepson, Douglas Thompson.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and at other times at the home.
As some of you may know, in most recent years much of Ellis’ time and effort was spent supporting children’s hospitals. With that in mind, flowers are welcome or you may honor Ellis’ life and legacy by directing memorial gifts to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C., 29605.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 12, 2018 3:05 AM