Mary Inez Chappell Harrell

 Mary Inez Chappell Harrell, 96, died on Thursday, January 30 at Raleigh’s Springmoor Retirement Community, where she had been a resident since 2017.

 She was born in Hertford, NC where she lived her entire life until her move to Springmoor. She was the daughter of the late Roy S. Chappell, Sr. and Myrtle Rogerson Chappell. She is survived by one brother, Roy S. Chappell, Jr. (Jeanette) of Hertford; her other brother, Thomas E. Chappell, predeceased her. 

 She was married for 24 years to the late Charles Manning Harrell, Jr. They had three children: Susan Harrell Irons (Fred) of Chapel Hill; Charlie Manning Harrell, III of Raleigh; and Chris Brattain Harrell (Beth) of Raleigh. She was involved in the lives of her five grandchildren: Charles F. Irons (Dana) of London, England; Costen H. Irons (Chela) of Chapel Hill, NC; Creighton M. Irons (Dawn) of Chatham County; Andrew M. Harrell of Raleigh; and Rebecca B. Harrell of Raleigh. Mrs. Harrell was always most centered on her family. She delighted in being the matriarch of a family that extended to seven great-grandchildren. 

 Mrs. Harrell was a member of the Hertford United Methodist Church where she served as the local United Methodist Women President, as chairman of the Minnie Wilson Circle for several years, and as an officer in the district and sub-district UMW. She also led a grief counseling group at the church for many years after the sudden death of her husband in 1974.

 She worked in areas of public service in the county, including in the Register of Deeds office and as the Director of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, where she was a pioneer in planning and coordinating the “Indian Summer Festival” for thirteen years. 

 After moving to Springmoor Retirement Community in Raleigh to be near her children, she made many new friends and became involved in numerous activities, especially playing Rummikub with dear friends. However, she never gave up her roots in Hertford and Perquimans County.

 Her funeral service will be on Monday, February 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Hertford United Methodist Church. Burial will precede in a private service at Cedarwood Cemetery.

 Memorial donations may be made to the Hertford United Methodist Organ Fund, the Hertford United Methodist Music Fund (200 Dobbs St, Hertford, NC 27944), or the Hertford Volunteer Fire Department (P.O. Box 32, Herford, NC 27944).

 Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.