James Louis Harrell

Visitation will be 5-7pm Monday July 11, 2011 at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson.

The memorial service will be 11:00am Tuesday July 12, 2011 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Jackson, MS preceded by visitation at 10am. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park on Clinton Blvd.

Rev. Harrell was the fifth child of nine born to William H. and Nettie J. Harrell. He is a graduate of Terry, MS High School, Mississippi College, and New Orleans Theological Seminary.

He served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a combat rifleman in the 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, Third Army in France and Belgium. The Bronze Star was awarded him for activities in the Battle of the Bulge.

Rev. Harrell’s ministry of more than 60 years began as pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church, Wayne County, which included service as Director of Missions for three Baptist Associations consecutively: Wayne, Scott, and Jackson Counties. During that time he established five new churches. He then became an associate in the Training Union Department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Later he became pastor of the Monticello Baptist Church, Monticello, MS and returned to the Mississippi Convention to serve in the Stewardship Department. He served 14 years with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He retired and returned to Mississippi. For 12 years he did special services part-time for the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

Rev. Harrell was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Elizabeth Waggener, three brothers, Redus, and Jack, who were killed in action in WWII, Charles of Jackson, MS, three sisters, Eleanor Pennington of Fayette, MS, Elizabeth Harper of Jackson, MS, and Elsie Hughes of Covington, GA. He is survived by his sister, Peggy Spencer (Robert) of Marshall, TX and brother, Benny Harrell (Flo) of Pearl, MS.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Pulliam Harrell, daughter, Grace Hopkins (Ray) of Ridgeland, MS, and three sons, David (Amy), of Lilburn, GA, Mark (Julie) of Athens, TX, and Philip (Terri) of Lilburn, GA. He also leaves eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

James Harrell was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Memorials may be made to Mission: Dignity, Guidestone Financial Resources SBC, P.O. Box 2190, Dallas, TX 75221 for the benefit of needy retired pastors and/or widows.

For online condolences go to www.wrightferguson.com