Service Details
Her Homegoing Service will be held in the United Church of God in Christ, 2849-92nd St., Sturtevant, WI, on Friday, November 19th, at 12:00 O’clock Noon, with her Pastor Curtiss Doss officiating. Visitation will be in the church that Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. The Service will be live streamed at the link below.
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Mother Myrtle Lee (nee: Barker) Harrell transitioned to eternal life on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at Ascension Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin. She was born on May 18, 1929, to the late Barbary and Lena (nee: Roach) in Clarksville, Tennessee (TN). Mother Harrell attended A. & I. Tennessee State College in Nashville, Tennessee. Myrtle met and married her first husband, George Washington, Sr., in Clarksville, Tennessee. There were two children born to that union. Mother Harrell later moved to Wisconsin with her two children by herself. She met Robert Harrell, Sr. and they married on May 10, 1952. To this union, five children were born. Mother Harrell professed Christ at the age of 12 years old under the leadership of the late Elder Thomas Mann in Clarksville, Tennessee. After relocating to Racine, Wisconsin, she became a member of the Twelfth Street Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) under the leadership of the late Bishop Walter L. Morris. While at Twelfth Street she became the Choir Director. The church relocated and became Grace Temple C.O.G.I.C. and after the demise of Bishop Morris, the late Pastor Jettie L. Cornett became her pastor, and she continued as Choir Director and working with the Youth Department on holiday skits and plays. For 40 plus years Deacon and Mother Harrell distributed Christmas baskets throughout the community. Robert preceded her in death on September 21, 1979. In 1987, Mother Harrell moved her membership to United C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of her brother-in-law, the late Elder Nesbie Allen and the late Bishop J. C. Williams in Third Jurisdiction. In Third Jurisdiction she was the State Soloist and the Financial Secretary of the Women’s Department. While at United C.O.C.I.C. she continued worked with the Youth Department and President of the Usher Board. In Racine she furthered her education by attending UW Parkside University in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Teachers College Units in Union Grove, Wisconsin. She was previously employed at Southern Colony and St. Mary’s Hospital as a phlebotomist. She was also employed at the Community Action Program (CAP) and created a pre-school program which was located at the Racine Street Gym and the Dr. John Bryant Center. She was a receptionist for the Senior Program at the Dr. John Bryant Center and a committee member for the J. W. Wilkerson Debutant Cotillion. In her leisure she enjoyed doing word searches, playing Dominoes, playing Uno, reading her Bible, and most importantly, spending time with her family. She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Elizabeth Washington, Arementia, Jerome (Grace), Jerold, Michael (Barbara) and LeVette Harrell; granddaughter, Mia Washington, 26 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Cleo Barker, Marie Green, Effie Autry, and Elaine Mason, and a host of nieces and nephews. She also leaves special friends, Mother Hettie Doss (Bone Head) and Sandy Luxon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barbary and Lena Barker; husband Robert L. Harrell Sr., two sons, George Washington and Robert L. Harrell Jr., granddaughter, Nickie Merritt, grandson, Marlon Harrell, siblings, Maple Taylor, Eleanor, George (Mary Ella), and Robert (Elsie) Barker, Lena (George) Bray, Vicie (Elder Nesbie) Allen, Nathaniel (Sadie), Flossie Barker, and Corinna (Willie) Owens, and godson, Pastor Lewis L. Doss, Jr.
Apostle Charles C Jones says
What a blessing to know you for over 38 years you have blessed Wisconsin in so many ways through the church. Just wanted to say we love you and will miss you.
Nina Stephens says
You surely will be missed Bigmama!! I will never forget you and the love you showed me!! Love you always!! ❤️❤️❤️ Your granddaughter Nina!!
Reverend David R. Green/Gregg Chapel says
To be absent from the body gives us the opportunity to be present with the Lord. Mother Harrell was gifted in wisdom, and had a beautiful voice which she used for the glory of God. In years past, whenever I called on her to render in God’s service, she always was a blessing in promoting the “Glorious Spirit of God.” To the Harrell family we send our sincere condolences. May God comfort you with peace and hope. You will always have her love and legacy. We uplift you in prayer.
Davidson &Campbell family says
To the Harell family condolences and prayers our Racine street family 🙏
Rest in Heaven Mother Harell ❤🙏
Rose M De La O says
My condolences to you Armenta and your family for the loss of your mother
Bruce and Gigi Oliver (Morris) says
My condolences to my family. You will be missed greatly! i remember growing up that you were always involved in the community and assisted with social justice issues in Racine WI.
Most of all you were a God-fearing woman of God! On behalf of the Morris, Oliver family; RIP
Roszalin Barker-Evans and family 🙏🏾 says
Holding your family close in my thoughts, prayers, and remembering Aunt Myrtle in my heart.
Dorothy M Bizzle an family says
Sending my deepest condolences to Mother Harrell and family
Bob and Gloria Harrell-Turner says
Aunt Myrtle has been a strong force and voice for the southside neighborhood and the City of Racine for many years while raising her children. So it’s time for her to rest. She will be greatly missed.
Barbara Harrell says
You were a 2nd Mother to me and will be greatly missed. May you Rest in Heaven as you are now at peace. Love you Ma❤💕
Mary Myers says
To Harrell Family
Am sorry for your lost.
God allow her to be with us a long time. So you should enjoy her memories and the love she show. She work hard in the church when she could. So Mytrle take your rest until we meet again.
Love The Myers& Shannon family
Valencia Tucker says
My Condolences in the lost of Mother Harrell you will be missed Valencia Davidson- Tucker
Valencia Tucker says
My Condolences in the lost of Mother Harrell you will be missed Valencia Tucker
Crystal J. says
BigMama you are going to be missed! May you Rest In Peace!
Doris Ingram-Jones says
My sincere condolences to the Harrell and Barker families…May Mother rest in peace…she fought the good fight, she has finished her course and received her crown.
Teresa Jenkins says
God Bless The Harrell family and give them strength during this difficult time.Mrs.Harrell was a beautiful woman and a joy to be around ❤ 🙏
Stacey Moore & Family says
Sending our condolences and prayers to the Harrell family
Anonymous says
You left her brother JAMES out who preceded her in death in 1962.
Rina Lambert says
May God comfort the entire family of Mother Harrell -as she have received her crown in the kingdom of the Lord–well done Mother.
Valerie Carter says
Myrtle,
I know you’re in heaven now but my Harrell Grandparents
(Uncle William & Aunt Anna Lue) always said such wonderful things about both you and Robert Sr.
CAROLYN PRICE AND FAMILY says
TO THE FAMILY, YOU HAVE OUR SINCERE LOVE AND CONDOLENCES. FROM
CAROLYN PRICE AND FAMILY,
Mr Charles M Claybrook says
God bless the Family