Zackie Webster Harrell, Sr.

Zackie Webster Harrell, Sr., 72, of 635 NC Hwy 37 South, Gatesville, NC, died Thursday, October 23, 2014. Zackie was born in Chowan County on February 6, 1942, and was the son of the late Gilbert Leon and Mary Pearl Evans Harrell. He grew up in the Rocky Hock community, and was named for his grandparents, Webster and Mary Perry Harrell, and Zack and Effie Louise White Evans. The youngest of four children, his childhood memories included his two brothers, Aubrey Evans Harrell and Sherwood Leon Harrell, and his sister, Lois Harrell Ashley. Throughout elementary school, Zackie would write stories about hunting dogs and wildlife. In high school he lettered in four sports: baseball, football, basketball, and track. Senior superlatives listed him as "Most Athletic" in his class. Honors in school included Boys State, Student Council President and Vice-President, Class Vice-President, Bus Driver, and 4-H Club President. His interest in farming dated back to those 4-H days. In 1958 Zackie received the State Championship Award for his achievement in the area of Peanuts. In the early 60's, Zackie attended North Carolina State University to study "books", "baseball", and "babes". As a "Wolfpacker", he earned a B.S. degree in agriculture business and played on the college baseball team as a pitcher. His "babes" studies ended when he fell in love with his college sweetheart, Kathryn Byrum. Kathryn and Zackie share many fond memories of their times together as a couple but their most precious accomplishments in life include the birth of their three children, Kathy, Rebecca, and Webster. Zackie settled in the Gatesville community in an effort to provide a stable, loving, Christian environment for his growing family. His children can testify that he was not just a father, but a great Daddy and role model. Zackie retired from the NC Cooperative Extension Service in 1995 after serving 26 years the Director in Gates County. Despite his busy work schedule, he found time to be active in community organizations. A faithful member of Gatesville Baptist Church, he served as Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, deacon, and trustee. He was a member and past president of the Gatesville Ruritan Club, organized the first Young Farmers Countywide Meeting, and was a charter member of the Gates County Jaycees and the Eason's Crossroads Ballpark Association. This past summer, the ballpark group dedicated one of the fields in his name. He was a retired member of the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Dept. In Zackie's spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and socializing with family and friends. He once said to a co-worker, "Take time to smell the rosesenjoy life and have a good time." He did that by spending time his friends in the Gatesville Hunt Club and the Nixon's Ditch Fishing Club, but his favorite times were spent with his precious grandsons. In addition to his parents and brothers he was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Seth Harrell. Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Kathryn Byrum Harrell; two daughters, Kathy Harrell Moore and husband Jeff of Chester, VA and Rebecca Harrell Woolard and husband Phil of Bethel; a son, Zackie Webster Harrell, Jr. and wife Ann of Gatesville; a sister, Lois Ashley of Edenton; six grandsons, Zackry Moore and wife GiGi, Jacob Moore and fiancé Chelsie Brown, McCoy and Evan Woolard, and Trent and Drake Harrell; and by his first great-grandchild, a little girl, Aubree Lou Moore, arriving at any time. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in Gatesville Baptist Church by the Revs. Gene Asbill, Dean Harrell, and Terry Jones. A private burial will follow in the Gatesville Cemetery. Friends may join the family at the residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Eason's Crossroads Ballpark Assn., 610 Acorn Hill Road, Sunbury, NC 27979, or to Gatesville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 167, Gatesville, NC 27938. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.