Willie M. Harrell

Willie Merritt Harrell, 92, of Tippah County, went to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his loved ones, Sunday November 12, 2023, at the Tippah County Health and Rehabilitation Center.

A Celebration of Mr. Harrell's life will be 11 AM Friday, November 17, 2023, at Falkner Baptist Church with Bro. Jeff Moore and Bro. Stanley Huddleston officiating, along with Kurt Lancaster and Russ Harrell sharing personal remarks. Visitation will be 5 PM until 8 PM Thursday, November 16, 2023, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Falkner Cemetery. Ripley Funeral Home will be handling all arrangements.

Born July 10, 1931, in Falkner, Mr. Harrell was the son of the late Benjamin Merritt and Onie Irene Jackson Harrell and was a 1949 graduate of Falkner High School. Following his graduation, Mr. Harrell married the love of his life on December 23, 1950, Norma Martindale Harrell who preceded him in death in 2019. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his country. Together they planted their roots in the Falkner Community, where Mr. Harrell took a job working with Alvie Goolsby Construction. He was a man who believed in hard work and always provided for his family. After his employment with Alvie Goolsby, he was the third employee with Biltrite, working as a plant engineer for 17 years. After which, he and his wife owned and operated M & M Fabrics until 1998. Mr. Harrell became a School Bus Driver with South Tippah School District for 12 years before his final retirement.

A Christan and faithful member of Falkner Baptist Church, Mr. Harrell was a true servant of Christ. He served as a Gideon and deacon in the church for 60 years, taught and directed Sunday school classes, church choir, and helped organize multiple mission trips for the youth and adults. He loved his family, and would do anything for them. He took his role as "Daddy Willie" very seriously and played an important part in each of there lives. Mr. Harrell led his family by example and lived a full life devoted to God and His Kingdom, where he now resides eternally. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

Those left to cherish his memories include one daughter, Pam Lancaster (Randy), two sons, Dan Harrell (Bettye) and Stephen Harrell (Ginger), a sister, Loyce Carter, nine grandchildren, Cory Lancaster, Kurt Lancaster (Ashley), Kelly Lancaster (Michelle), Raleigh Bass (Wes), Russ Harrell (Erin), Brittney Short (Adam), Julie Motte (Mason), Emily Canoy, and Wesley Harrell, fifteen great grandchildren, Evy, Liam, Lynley, Luke, Ruby, C. J., Zack, Josh, Abby, Aslan, Asher, Graves Daniel, Ander, Ayzleigh, and Hudson and a very special caregiver, Jennifer Guyton.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Norma Martindale Harrell, he is also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Caviness.

The family request all memorials be directed to The Gideons International at PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 or the Falkner Baptist Church Misson Fund at 61 County Road 269, Falkner, MS 38629

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with the Harrell family.

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