Jo Ann Harwell

HARWELL, Jo Ann Wheeler, passed from this life on Monday, February 4, 2013, at the age of 86. She was born to the late Willie and Ruth Wheeler of Giles County, Tennessee, on March 12, 1926. She was preceded in death by her childhood sweetheart and husband of 41 years, Joseph H. Harwell. She was also predeceased by brothers, Edward Wheeler, Barnett Wheeler, sisters, Marjorie Wheeler, Alma Ruth Wheeler Cole, brother-in-law Louis Cole, and sister-in-law, Mildred Beasley Wheeler. She is survived by children, Julia Harwell Shipp (Michael), Sara Jean Harwell, and Joseph Wheeler Harwell (Bari), grandchildren, Michael Preston Shipp (Sherisse), Sarah Emily Shipp (Mikeal), Meredith Lorraine Harwell, Joseph Craig Harwell, brother, John Walker Wheeler (Patricia), sister-in-law, Jane Willoughby Wheeler, four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Harwell was employed as a secretary at Lipscomb University for 22 years until her retirement in 1991. After her retirement, she worked in a volunteer capacity for Baptist Hospital and the Church of Christ Prison Ministry as long as her health permitted. She was a faithful member of the Natchez Trace Church of Christ for more than thirty years. She touched many lives during the course of her life and she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all. Funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, February 6, 2013, two p.m. at Natchez Trace Church of Christ. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family Tuesday from four to eight p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and again two hours prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of customary floral tributes, donations may be made to the Joseph and Jo Ann Harwell Fund for Beaman Library, Lipscomb University.