AHOSKIE, NC – Idell Farmer Harrell, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Vidant Roanoke- Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, NC.

Mrs. Harrell was born on July 8, 1925 to Oscar James Farmer and Eunice “MaMa” Brewer Farmer Nichols in Aulander, NC. Idell was married to the love of her life, Eddie for 49 wonderful years before his passing. She was a long-time member of the Millennium Pentecostal Holiness Church in Aulander, NC.

Family was the most important possession to Idell. She was first and foremost a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, and aunt to her family, and a great friend to many. Idell and Eddie’s first business venture was in 1950 with Eddie Harrell’s Sports Store and Muffler Shop, then later opened Eddie Harrell’s BBQ Restaurant, which were both a thriving success that they operated together for many years, and as their family grew their children became involved in the business. Idell was always there for her children and will be deeply missed.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Edward Harrell; a son, Joseph “Joe” Edward Harrell, Jr.; four brothers, Ernest “Friday” Farmer, Ray Farmer, Samuel Farmer, and Alvah Nichols; and four sisters, Emma Jones, Velma Mitchell, Dorothy Pritchard, and Sylvia Baisey.

Left to cherish Idell’s memory are five daughters, Joan Harrell Holland, Jane Ellen Harrell Brake and husband Robert, Jewel Harrell Newsome and husband Charlie, Joy Harrell and husband Drap, and Jacqueline Gay Harrell-Eason and husband Johnny; son, Jerry Harrell and wife Belinda; daughter-in-law, Billie Harrell, all of Ahoskie; brother, James Farmer of Murfreesboro, NC; nine granddaughters, Kim Irvin, Tina Copeland and partner Laura, Gina Smith and husband Dennis, Billie Joe Harrell and husband Michael, Bobbie Joe Lindsey, Michelle Myers and husband Kimsey, Jennah Idell Harrell, Renee’ Eason, and Sebrina Eason; ten grandsons, Chuck Munford and wife Ann Marie, Joe Harrell, III and wife Rochelle, Ed Evans IV and wife Becky, Jason Harrell and wife Alexis, Justin Harrell, Jacob Harrell and wife Amber, Joseph Harrell, Jarrett Harrell, Johnny Eason, II, and Jeremy Eason; 26 great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated and loving caregivers that took such great care of Mrs. Idell, Nell Sanderlin, Ruth Felton, Frieda Ingram, and Christina Brooks.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, with Rev. Greg Hurdle, officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to the Millennium Pentecostal Holiness Church, PO Box 416, Aulander, NC 27805, or Early’s Baptist Church, 310 S. Early Station Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com, search fund: then type, Idell Harrell.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service is handling the arrangements for the Harrell family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.