Jenelle H. Poppell

She was born August 8, 1923 in Gretna, Florida and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. Moving to Tallahassee in 1941, she attended Florida State College for Women and Lively Vocational School before starting her career with the State Livestock Sanitary Board (later merged with the Department of Agriculture) on August 16, 1943 - a career that spanned over 59 years. She received many honors and awards during her career, including a resolution by the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida in 1993 proclaiming November 9th as "Jenelle Poppell Day" in appreciation of 50 years of service. In 1991, she was awarded the Department of Agriculture's Outstanding Employee for National Public Service Week and received a Team Performance Award in 1996. The Department of Elder Affairs honored her with a Certificate of Appreciation as Outstanding Older Worker in 2001. In August, 2002, she was again honored with a resolution by the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida for 59 years of service. When she retired in September, 2002, she held the record for the number of years of service of any active or retired state employee. She attended First Baptist Church of Tallahassee for over 50 years and taught the 2-year-old Sunday School class for over 30 years.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, EST Monday, November 14, 2011 at Celebration Baptist Church, 3300 E. Shamrock, in Tallahassee. There will be a private burial at Sunnydell Cemetery in Gretna. Visitation will be Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida.

Jenelle is survived by her son, Ron Poppell (Wanda) of Havana, Florida; her daughter, Regina Brewster (Jim) of Tallahassee; and her son Tim Poppell (Maggie) of Longwood, Florida; and her granddaughters, Danielle Brewster and Melanie Brewster of Tallahassee, and Kelly Poppell of Longwood. She is also survived by four sisters; Eleanor Puckett of Tallahassee, Erline Spooner of Quincy, Carolyn Barnhill (Grady) of Clemmons, NC, and Betty Jo Lester (Charles) of Tallahassee, and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Grady Poppell; her parents, Drew and Lillie Johnson Haire; two sisters, Annette Haire Suber and Dorothy Haire; a brother, Alexander Haire; a niece, Laura Lester; and a nephew, Carlton Spooner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice . A special thanks to her caregivers, Julia McNeil, Hattie R. Larry, Chattrelle Gillyard, Linda Ward, Julie Farlin and Clarissa Thomas. Their extraordinary efforts and love for Jenelle made this year very special for her.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.