Katherine Harrell
April 26, 1924 - December 23, 2011
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Katherine Harrell
April 26, 1924 - December 23, 2011
Obituary
On December 23, 2011, at the age of 87, Katherine “Kay” Harrell was granted her angel wings to God’s celestial shore. Her final days were spent at home surrounded by family and friends whom she loved dearly. Kay was a strong Christian woman who lived a life wrapped in the love of Jesus.
Kay was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 26, 1924 to Katherine and George Miller. She was the oldest of 4 Children. She grew up in Wichita, moved to New Orleans where she married her husband James “Jimmy” Harrell on April 7, 1945. In Little Rock, Arkansas they were blessed with two amazing daughters, Georgia and Jamie. In 1966, Kay opened an antique store in Phoenix, Arizona and in 1969 moved to California where Kay continued running, The Doll Trunk, until her final days. Kay and Jimmy settled in Lake Forest, California in 1970. In 1982, Kay lost her best friend and husband. She stood strong and continued to love and support her family through her last days.
Kay is survived by her two daughters, Jamie Jones and Georgia Jones; Sister Mary Katzenstein; 5 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. She will be missed greatly in all our lives, but we will meet again on God’s celestial shore.
18 responses to Katherine Harrell
Ruth Robinson says:
December 28, 2011
When I first met Kay, she and her Mother came to Little Rock. Our Father and Mother plus Charles, John and myself were to drive them to New Orleans where James and Kay were to be married. James was in the Navy. For some reason, he could not get his furlow so we were there about a week. Finally they were married by a justice of the peace, who had such a New Orleans accent. Then later, we all lived in Little Rock and could enjoy seeing and loving Georgia and Jamie. Kay was always so nice to visit with. When my husband Charles, was being sent to Japan during the Korean War, he was to be shipped out close to where Kay and James lived. Kay was so very nice to take us sight seeing and gave us her bedrooom the night before he left for Japan. We will always have fond memories of Kay.
Ruth and Charles Robinson
andy barney says:
December 29, 2011
That’s so true Jamie she lived the life. When someone would talk bad she would graciously resist participating in the conversation. She lived a joyous life, she didn’t let her circumstances dictate her attitude. It sure was neat to know her. I thought that see always looked good and only recently noticed that she was looking a little frail.
Carl Jones says:
December 29, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011: Katie, Philip, Kay
Charles Harrell says:
December 29, 2011
I have many fond memories of Kay, wife of my older brother, especially when they were in Arkansas. I got to see Georgia and Jamie as babes and young girls. I won’t forget Duchess, the doberman. It was always a pleasure to spend time with the family and Kay was always pleasant to be with.
Charles Harrell
Jamie Jones says:
December 29, 2011
She was known as Kay Harrell. To me she was my mom, my co-treasure hunter, and my best friend. There was nothing we did not do together, we worked, vacationed, shopped, gardened and did the tedious chores of the day. She was the best! She loved her family but above all she loved the Lord and set a strong example for all who knew her. She always stood strong in the storms of life, when she lost dad 30-years ago she forged on and became prosperous in her business and became the dearest member of my family.
She loved to talk of her memories of dad, study the family genealogy and we often went on buying trips back east. For many years one of her favorite pastimes was going to the desert and relaxing in the hot pools.
Since her lymphoma diagnosis in 1999, to her broken hip and other challenges she faced them with a smile and never a complaint. Even in her last days in the ICU when the Dr’s asked her how she felt, she would smile and say “fine”. That was mom. She passed peacefully at home December 23,2011 at 6:10pm, while we were holding her hand singing her favorite hymn, “I’ll Fly Away.”
I know dad, family and friends who have gone on before her have waited along time to see her. Now that she is in the Lord’s hands, I will let go because I know we will meet again.
Love,
Jamie