Mrs. Julia Dinkins Harrell

Mrs. Julia Margaret Dinkins Harrell was born in Hopkins, SC on January 3, 1927 to the late Mr. Jesse Marion Dinkins and Mrs. Mattie Hills Dinkins. She departed this life on December 31, 2013 in the Richland Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. Julia, one of nine children, was affectionately called “Baby Sister” by her family. She began her education at the Siloam Church School, from there she went on to graduate from Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, SC. Her love of cooking led her into employment with the public schools of Richland School District One. She served as a cafeteria manager/dietician for elementary, middle, and high schools at different times during her career. She retired from Richland One Schools in 1980. After a few years of retirement, she went to V.V. Reid Nursery and Elementary School where she assisted with the set-up, design, and management of their kitchen. She retired in 1994 to care for her terminally ill daughter. Julia found so much enjoyment in working with her hands, cooking for family and friends, and in helping others, especially her church family. She was very active with the Eastern Stars, where she served in various leadership roles. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and quilting. Julia was baptized at an early age at Siloam Baptist Church in Hopkins, SC. She was a faithful member of the Siloam Baptist Church until she moved her membership to the Gill Creek Baptist Church. At Gill Creek, she served as a deacon, a missionary, a member of the Jubilee Choir, a Sunday school and Bible study teacher, and was a member of the Pulpit Aide Committee. She also founded the Outreach Ministry to provide clothing to the less fortunate. On July 29, 1947, Julia was united in Holy Matrimony to Clarence Eugene Harrell, Jr. This union was blessed with almost 65 years of marriage, six children, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband; a son, Thomas Harrell; and two daughters, Sandra Leysath and Joyce Reed. Left to cherish fond and precious memories of “Baby Sister” are two daughters, Evelyn Moore and Harriett (Benjamin) Roach; a son; Clarence (Gail) Harrell, III; eight grandchildren, Patrick (Shavonne) Reed of Lithonia, GA; Xavier (Mandy) Harrell of Rowlett, TX; Dr. Aneidra N. Leysath and Marcus J. Leysath of Pensacola, FL; Ashley Harrell of Greensboro, NC; Andrea (Edward) McDowell, Nakia (Kershaw) Washington, and Christopher A. H. Moore, all of Columbia, SC; ten great grandchildren; two sisters; Martha Thompson of Hopkins, SC and Ethel Harris of Mount Laurel, NJ; one brother, Robert Dinkins of Kansas City, KS; a very special former son-in-law, Ceasar J. Leysath, III, who was like a son; and a host of nieces, nephews, four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; other relatives and friends, all of whom join the family in sharing the grief caused by her departure. Services will be held 12 noon on Monday, January 6, 2014 at Gill Creek Baptist Church, with interment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 6-8:00 pm Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Palmer Memorial Chapel. The family request that condolences and memorials be made to their web page @www.palmermemorialchapel.com

Mrs. Julia Dinkins Harrell

January 3, 1927 - December 31, 2013