Patricia Harrell Obituary

HARRELL, Patricia

Patricia Harris Harrell, born on March 27, 1938, passed from this life to her eternal home with Jesus on her 87th birthday, March 27, 2025. She passed away peacefully at Roper St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC, surrounded by her loving family. Pat was born in Macon, GA to the late Arthur Harris and Patricia Lilly Harris.

Pat is survived by her loving husband, Charles Thomas (Buddy) Harrell, Jr. of Hartwell GA; and her two daughters, Cynthia Huston (Dallas Huston) of Mt Pleasant, SC and Cathy Reed (Mark Reed) of Mt Pleasant, SC; her grandchildren Maryanna Reed, Maegan Reed Williams (Jacob), Ben Huston, Jake Huston; and her sister, Mary Harris Gregory of St. Simons, GA.

A graduate of University of Georgia, Pat also received her masters degree in Childhood Education and second masters degree in School Administration from Oglethorpe University. After graduating UGA she remained a loyal and avid Bulldog fan. Pat met her husband, Buddy, at age 15 in high school biology lab. These high school sweethearts married in 1960 and would have celebrated their 65th anniversary in June of this year.

Pat had a passion for teaching, was a 2nd grade elementary teacher, taught Sunday School and worked in education for 42 years. She retired as a well respected Head of School and Chief Executive Officer of The Mount Vernon School in Atlanta GA and is remembered often by many of her prior students. After retiring in 2002, she and Buddy moved from Atlanta to Hartwell GA to enjoy their lifelong dream of lake life.

Pat and Buddy were members of First Baptist Church of Hartwell where Pat donated her time as part of The Senior Outreach Ministry team. Pat was also a devoted member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a non profit organization helping women pursue educational goals by providing educational assistance. In her retirement years she volunteered many hours to her P.E.O. Chapter L in Anderson, SC as a member and later serving as President. Pat will always be remembered as an amazing person, a beautiful loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was always giving, caring and thoughtful often writing special notes of thanks and encouragement and finding just the right gift to let someone know she was thinking of them. Her quick wit, sense of humor, insightful wisdom and sense of adventure will provide a lifetime of wonderful memories for all who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Coile and Hall Funeral Directors, 333 E Johnson Street, Hartwell GA 30643 on Sunday, April 13, 2025. A short visitation will begin at 1:30 PM, followed by a service at 2:00 PM in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Pat's memory may be sent to P.E.O. Anderson Chapter and First Baptist Church of Hartwell for The Senior Outreach Ministry, 81 E. Howell Street, Hartwell GA 30643.