David Ray Harrell

   David Ray Harrell, 85, of 227 Tynch Town Road, Edenton, NC, died Tuesday, December 22, 2015 in his home.

   Mr. Harrell was born in Chowan County on November 25, 1930, and was one of 15 children born to the late Elisha Cornelius and Dixie Bell Bunch Harrell. A retired maintenance engineer from Vidant Chowan Hospital after more than 30 years of employment, he also founded and owned/operated The Dirt Boys (a soil supply business), and David’s Red Barn. A charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church, he was faithful to the Lord, and went about his daily business of handing out tracts and talking to people about Jesus. Other service included the US Army during the Korean War, and the NC Army National Guard.

   In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle H. Harrell; by sisters, Sallie Marie Copeland, Daisy Mae Harrell, Betty Ann Head, and Judy Bunch Harrell; by an infant brother, by brothers, Lindsey, Willie, E.C., Percy, Herman and Mark; by his son, Frank Elihue Harrell; and a step-son, William Earl Thomas.

   Surviving are his wife, Edna Thomas-Harrell; his daughter, Rachel H. Spruill and husband Tim of Columbia; his son, David Keith Harrell and wife Phyllis of Edenton; a step-daughter, Wanda Elaine Clayton and husband Ken of Willow Springs; a step-son, Warren Eugene Thomas of Durham; a sister, Emma Lou Evans of Edenton; two brothers, Roland Harrell and Robert Harrell, also of Edenton; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren.

   Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Immanuel Baptist Church and will be officiated by the Rev. Randy Browder. Burial will follow in the Harrell Family Cemetery near the home. Friends may join the family Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, and other times at the residence.

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