Willis Harrell

Pastor Willis Edward (Ed) Harrell, age 85, passed away early Thursday, May 26, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. Services for Pastor Harrell will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at New Fountainhead Baptist Church. Pastors Bob Knight, Marty Brock, and Tim Harrell will be officiating. Interment will follow in Salem Baptist Church Cemetery. Craig Dowdy, Tim Harrell, Trevor Brandt, Len Dean, Daniel Provence, Dan Provence, Buster Bell, and Johnny Harrell will serve as pallbearers. Ed Harrell was born in Decatur County, Georgia on November 14, 1930. His parents, Paul Ronald (P.R.) Harrell and Vera Mae Palmer Harrell, preceded him in death. He attended school in Climax, Georgia. One of his many proud life-moments was that he drove the Climax school bus. Due to WWII, there was a shortage of men to drive. Ed was given the job and did it well, even though he was only 14 years of age. Mr. Harrell served proudly in the United States Navy. The Navy sent him to Stockton, California, where, while attending church, he heard and met a soloist that became the love of his life. He and Shirley Joan Strawhecker Harrell have been married over 62 years. They were a team, always together, ever in love. Ed worked in the family wholesale poultry business. He ran a chicken and egg route along the Florida Gulf Coast. After retiring from the poultry business, he and Shirley ministered full-time. He served as a full-time minister for over 43 years. He and his wife ministered at New Fountainhead Baptist Church, Salem Baptist Church, in nursing homes, jails, Hispanic ministries, Good News Clubs, Bible schools, anywhere he could preach God's word. He loved to fish and loved to get together and eat. Ed was crazy about his grandchildren and dearly loved to have his children with him. Pastor Ed Harrell is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Joan Strawhecker Harrell; children, Lindy Harrell, Suzanne Harrell Brandt, Tim Harrell and wife, Alice Wilson Harrell, and Bonnie Harrell Provence and husband, Dan Provence; grandchildren, Heather Dailey Dean, James Trevor Brandt, Timothy Edward Harrell, Jennifer Anne Dowdy, Aubrie Provence, and Daniel Provence; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, J. D. Harrell and wife, Glenna; sister, Emma Jean Bell; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Brother Ed to the Pacific Garden Mission, P. O. Box 7436, Chicago, Illinois 60680-7436.