Mrs. Isabel Jane Gibbs Harrell, 93, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2015. Mrs. Harrell was born October 28, 1921 in Asheboro, NC to Rev. A.C. and Myrtle Crabtree Gibbs. Mrs. Harrell received her undergraduate degree in Christian Education from Greensboro College, and did her graduate studies in Art and Religion at Columbia University in New York where she studied under the famous German Theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. After completing her education Mrs. Harrell became the director of Christian Education at Burlington First United Methodist Church and Ardmore Methodist Church in Winston Salem. She married her husband Dr. James A. Harrell, Sr. on June 19, 1945. Mrs. Harrell worked alongside her husband as a dental assistant for seventeen years. She was very active in Elkin First United Methodist Church serving as a Sunday school teacher for 34 years and a member of the choir for many years. Mrs. Harrell was also very active in the community, serving and volunteering on several committees for many years; she was the director of the first community play which led to the formation of the community theater, she was the leader of Cub Scout Pack 48, and served on the building committee and the board of directors for nine years for Arbor Acres Retirement Community. Mrs. Harrell was a knight of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem. She was also an accomplished artist, musician, and gardener. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Gibbs C. Gibbs, three sisters, Marian Gibbs, Katherine Gibbs Wasson and Helen Gibbs Philpott. Survivors include her husband of seventy years, Dr. James A. Harrell, Sr. of the home, three sons, Dr. James A. Harrell, Jr. and wife Barbara of Elkin, Dr. Gavin Gibbs Harrell and wife Margie of State Road, Dr. Stephen W. Harrell and wife Terry of State Road, a daughter, Deborah Doughton Kirkman of Hendersonville, nine grandchildren, Jim Harrell III, Matthew Harrell, Christopher Harrell, Christa Sheek, Nathan Harrell, Judith Collins, Whitney Sutphin, Catherine Harrell, Elizabeth Harrell, nine great grandchildren, Jim Harrell IV, Harper Isabel Harrell, Christopher Hudson Harrell, Jr., Hudson W. Harrell, Maddie Sheek, Samuel Sheek, Jackson Sheet, Jack Harrell Collins and Rivers Sutphin. A memorial service will be held Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:30 am at Elkin First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Barden and Rev. Fred Jordan officiating. There will no formal receiving or visitation, however, the Harrell family is very appreciative of the love and support they have received from family, friends and the entire community. The family encourages your calls and visits over the next few weeks. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to Elkin First United Methodist Church 340 Hawthorne Road Elkin, NC 28621 or to Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 560 Elkin, NC 28621.
