Janie Mitchener Harrell

   Janie Mitchener Harrell, 90, of 1601 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, February 24, 2017, in her home.

   Mrs. Harrell was born in Chowan County on March 28, 1926, and was the daughter of the late John Agrippa Mitchener, Sr. and Bessie Futrell Mitchener. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, James Mitchener and John A. Mitchener, Jr.

   Janie graduated from Edenton High School in 1942, Peace College, Raleigh, in 1944, and Queens College, Charlotte, in 1946.  She married Robert Shirley Harrell, son of Rodney Tuttle Harrell, Sr. and Bessie Leary Harrell, on June 17, 1949, and together they shared nearly 68 years of marriage. She served as the pianist at First Presbyterian Church, Edenton, during her high school years, and later, before her marriage, was an educational director, organist, and choir director at Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth City. She continued those roles at Maymont Baptist Chapel, Richmond, VA; Thanksgiving Baptist Church, Selma, NC; Rocky Hock Baptist Church, and Bandon Chapel, both in Edenton; and served as the organist at First Presbyterian Church, Edenton, for six years, where she enjoyed membership in the church as well as its Bessie Mitchener Circle.  Janie was active in churches where her husband served as Pastor, and especially enjoyed working with young children in the education programs and directing Day Camps. Another particular fondness was her love of family reunions. Employed with the Edenton-Chowan Public Schools for 19 years, she also taught private piano and organ lessons for over 50 years.

   Surviving with her husband, are three daughters, Sheryl Harrell Pollard and husband Gerald of Cary, Susan Harrell Birckhead and husband Thomas of Edenton, and Robin Harrell Kimmel and husband Steve of Greensboro; six grandchildren, Mitch Pollard and wife Katie, Brian Pollard, Ashlee Birckhead, Kendall Hollowell and husband Heath, Lauren Dickey and husband Joseph, and Janie Kimmel; and two great-grandchildren, Knox Pollard and Jasper Hollowell.

   A memorial service will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church, 200 South Moseley Street, Edenton. Burial will follow on the Mitchener Family Plot in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may join the family Sunday from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, and other times at the Birckhead home, 1537 Virginia Road, both in Edenton.

   Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Edenton, and be directed towards the Piano Fund.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.