Minnie Nolan Harrell was a Eastern Star at Petty Memorial AME Church in New Orleans

Minnie Nolan Harrell
Photo Courtesy of 
Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

Minnie Nolan Harrell was a lifelong member of Petty Memorial AME Church in New Orleans. She and her husband Edgar Harrell, Sr., brought their children up in the same church. She was a very active member in the church. 

Bertha Harrell Hooper and Manilla McCoy Harrell

Manilla McCoy Harrell and Bertha Harrell
Child unknown
Photo Courtesy of 
Audrey Harrell Dumones Collection

Bertha and Manilla McCoy Harrell was sister-in-law. Manilla was married to Bertha's brother Palmer Harrell. Manilla was born in 1902 in Amite, Louisiana. She died in 1982 in Amite, Louisiana.

Historian Dr. Antoinette Harrell preserving the Harrell, Richardson, Gordon, Jackson, Williams, and Temple family history

Dr. Antoinette Harrell
The Amistad Research Center 
New Orleans, LA

For several decades Dr. Antoinette Harrell has worked tirelessly to preserve the history, photographs, and documents of her family. Two collections have been established in her name at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies in Hammond, LA, and the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans located on Tulane University Campus. Her work has allowed researchers and the public to gain a greater understanding of the African American experience in Southeast Louisiana. She has been instrumental in preserving and archiving the history of her family and her community.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoinette_Harrell

The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies

https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/h_k/harrell_collection.html

The Amistad Research Center

https://amistad-finding-aids.tulane.edu/repositories/2/resources/575

Herbert Harrell

Herbert Harrell
Photo Courtesy of
Isabel Harrell Cook

Herbert Harrell was born Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Richardson Harrell in 1947 in Amite, Louisiana. He served in Vietnam and after receiving a Honorable Discharged he returned to Amite, La. He was married to Mary Ann Gordon and they were the parents of three sons. Rodney Harrell, Lance Harrell, and Todd Harrell. He and his family lived in New Orleans before moving back to Amite, Louisiana. He followed his father footsteps and became a carpenter and he enjoyed planting a garden. Later he became a ordained minister of the gospel.

Clarence Edgar Harrell, Jr., and Juanita Harrell Stewart

Clarence E. Harrell, Jr. and his sister
Juanita Harrell Stewart
Photo Courtesy of Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

Clarence and Juanita were children of Edgar Harrell, Sr., and Minnie Nolan Harrell. Clarence was born in in 1924 and his sister Juanita was born in 1922 in New Orleans, LA. 

Monteral Harrell preserves family history through photographs

Monteral Harrell shared her photograph collection
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Monteral is to be commended for preserving the Harrell family history through the extensive photo collection that she inherited from her father Raymond Harrell, Sr., when he passed away. Her goal is to preserve them in a safe, dry place. She contributed some of the photographs for the book "Images of America" African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. She knew I wouldn't take any of them or damage them, making it safe to share them with me. Assuring her that I would not take her pictures was paramount to me. People who have collections fear that one thing.  In most cases, they have a good reason for doing so because some people will take the picture without permission.

It amazed me to see all the old photos of the Harrell family that our Great Aunt Ella Harrell Keith originally kept. The images have been passed down through generations. They were a reminder of our family history, and of the people who came before us. The photos also told a story of life in a different time and place. 

Monteral is one of the few who share. There are family members who have a large collection and won't share their photographs, but the same people will ask you for a copy of your collection. Our stories and history can't be told if they're locked away in a closet box.  Nowadays, we can share pictures with family members via so many digital platforms. The reason I created this blog was to share family photographs and information about the individuals in them. Monteral is a true educator who understands how important it is to share knowledge and images to preserve our history.

Aunt Ella collected photographs from family, friends, and the community, according to our late first cousin, Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier. Her one request was for everyone to send her a picture. Aunt Ella used her pictures to document her family's history. Jo-Ann said Aunt Ella was a family historian in her own right. Aunt Ella's photographs were an invaluable part of our family's heritage. I am delighted that Monteral has inherited the collection and shared it with me so that it can be preserved. 

Bertha Harrell Hooper

Bertha was born to Alexander Harrell and Emma Mead Harrell on February 22, 1902 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. She died on August 28, 1990 in Chicago.  Sometime between the late 1920s and the mid-1930s, Bertha, Warner, and Henry left the Deep South. Bertha settled in Chicago, Illinois, while Warner and Henry moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They left behind segregation and poverty for new opportunities. Once she settled in and found a job to support herself she extended her home to other family members who wanted to leave the Deep South. In response to her offer, several of her brother Palmer's daughters moved north. Her summer vacation was spent visiting relatives in Tangipahoa and New Orleans. She did not have any children. She sent boxes of clothes, shoes, sweaters, and coats back home to her brothers Jasper and Palmer to help them. They both had large families and Bertha helped them in any way she could. Her nieces and nephews received boxes of clothes and other items from her. The members of her family adored her. Bertha's nieces and nephews loved her.

As she aged, nieces Audrey and Bobbie took care of her. After she passed away her great-nephew Arthur Hickerson, owner of Heritage Funeral Home in New Orleans made arrangements to bring her remains back to Tangipahoa Parish. She is buried with her parents and siblings in Big Zion AME Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana.

Genealogist Dr. Antoinette Harrell shares family images and stories through her Harrell family blog

Preserving Family History

As a person with a strong interest in my family history, both on my mother's and father's sides, it is precious to me for several reasons. Over my thirty-plus years of family research, I have learned a lot about my Harrell family history. My research included trips to clerk offices in the South and up the East Coast to find any information about my ancestors who were enslaved. I have also uncovered stories of my ancestors' bravery and courage, even in the face of severe adversity. I have also connected with family members who shared stories and photographs of my past generations. This knowledge has been invaluable and has helped me better understand my family history and appreciate its significance. I have created this blog to provide education to my Harrell members who wish to learn more about our history.

The importance of documenting and telling our history is something I am passionate about. I believe that by sharing our stories, we can gain a better understanding of our past and who we are today. History can also provide valuable insights into our future, and can help us make better decisions in the present. By preserving our history, we can honor those who came before us and create a lasting legacy for future generations. 

As a descendant of those who survived the middle passage and endured slavery, it is my responsibility to research, preserve, and tell the story of those whose shoulders I stand on. I must ensure that their stories are not forgotten and that the next generations can learn and understand the struggles and successes of those who came before. We must also ensure that future generations are not faced with the same challenges. 

Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr.

Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr.

Jasper was the youngest child born to Alexander Harrell and Emma Mead Harrell in January, 1911. Jasper made Tangipahoa Parish his home. He was married to Josephine Richardson Harrell. To their union ten children was born, Catherine Harrell,  Jasper Harrell, Jr,  Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., Frank Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell-Cook, Henry Harrell, Leon Charles Harrell, Herbert Harrell, Raymond Harrell, Sr., Deloris Harrell Washington, and one adopted son Oliver Jackson.  He died in 1961 in Amite, Louisiana. He was a farmer snd carpenter.

He built Jim Walters's home in Tangipahoa Parish, according to my mother. He would also take his truck to pick up people to drive them to the voting polls. He also made headstones for each of his siblings buried in Big Zion AME Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana. The land was farmed by him and his mother who worked it planting and harvesting crops. Throughout his life, he has never left the land on which he was born. There were some of his siblings who left and went up north, and there were others who went to New Orleans. He told his wife Josephine that he wasn't raising his children in the city. 

Mother often talked about a time when a man was hung in Tangipahoa Parish and he wanted my grandfather Jasper to be there to get his shoes to give to his family. He was known to be a man of standard and value. 

Edgar Harrell, Sr.

Edgar Harrell, Sr.
Photo Courtesy of 
Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

Edgar Harrell was born in 1896 in Amite, Louisiana to Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell. He served as a private in the U.S. Army Inf. Hdqs. Co. 806th Pioneer Infantry. He enlisted in 1918 and was discharged in 1919. He met his wife Minnie Nolan while picking beans on the farm in Tangipahoa Parish. Edgar and his brother married two sisters. His brother Shelton married Ada Nolan. Edgar was a lifelong member of Petty AME Church in New Orleans. Louisiana. He and his wife raised their two children Juanita and Clarence at 3939 Third Street in New Orleans, LA. Edgar was a carpenter by trade.

In 1958 an article was published announcing that he was honored at Petty Memorial AME as father of the year. This was done by the trustees and members of Petty Memorial AME Zion Church. That was the second time he had been honored. The article stated that he moved to New Orleans in 1919 and married his wife Minnie in 1924. 

In New Orleans, my mother spent a great deal of time with him and his family. She identified them as her godparents.When he came back to Amite to visit his mother, she recalled that he always stopped in the French Quarters to purchase boxes of fruit. He died on February 14, 1959, and is buried in Providence Memorial Park in Metairie, Louisiana.

Palmer Roscoe Harrell

Palmer Roscoe Harrell was born on October 28, 1900, to Alexander Harrell and Emma Mead Harrell in Amite, Louisiana.He was married to Manilla McCoy Harrell. He was one of eleven children. He was a farmer by occupation and enjoyed farming. My three brothers Thomas, Reginald, Michael and I, helped him with his crops. We waited for that old green pickup truck to come driving slowly down the stretch road to jump on the back. I always rode up front with him. On the seat of the truck, there was a jar of ice-cold water and crackers in a bag for his lunch. Walking in his footsteps was a pleasant experience for the four of us. We occasionally received a dime from him to purchase two-for-a-penny cookies and candy from the store. That was a real treat. We called him "Uncle Buddy" and enjoyed the time we spent with our great-uncle. He died in February of 1977 and is buried in Big Zion AME Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana. 

Juanita Harrell Stewart

Juanita Harrell Stewart
Photo Courtesy of
Juanita Harrell Stewart 

Juanita Harrell Stewart was born in 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Edgar Harrell, Sr. and Minnie Nolan Harrell. She was the eldest of their two children. She had a younger brother, Clarence E. Harrell. In 2008, she passed away in Kentwood, Louisiana. Juanita was a lifelong member of Petty AME Church in New Orleans. She worked as a typist for Standard Life Insurance Company. She was a seamstress and an Eastern Star. She graduated from McDonogh #35 in 1935. She married Isaac Stewart in 1945 and had two children Michael Stewart and Gwendolyn L. Stewart. 

Ella Harrell Keith

Ella Harrell Keith
Photo Courtesy of Monteral Harrell Climmons

She was born to Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell in 1895 in Tangipahoa Parish. Sadly, she passed away in 1960. She was one of thirteen children born to Alexander and Emma. No children were born to her. She adopted Percy Harrison legally. Aunt Ella loved collecting photographs of family members and friends, according to my first cousin Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier. Her niece Gertrude Love inherited her photograph collection when she died. The collection was inherited by my maternal uncle Raymond Harrell, Sr. after Gertrude died. When my uncle passed away his daughter Monteral Harrell inherited the collection and shared it with the family. 

Catherine Lewis Harrell

Catherine Harrell was the oldest of ten children born to Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in1932 in Tangipahoa Parish. She lived in New Orleans for years. She died in Amite, Louisiana in 1978. She was married to Ernest Lewis, Sr. She was the mother of Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier, Ernest Lewis, Jr. Diane Lewis Wilson, James Lewis, Cheryl Lewis Stamant, Alvin Lewis, Elaine Lewis Dianels, Winifred Lewis, Darren Lewis, Kenneth Bergeron, Dwayne Bergeron, Christopher Bergeron, and Demetric Bergeron. 

Her reputation as an exceptional cook preceded her. Her daughters and son informed me later that she enjoyed crocheting and needlework. Her siblings were Jasper Harrell, Sr., Frank Harrell, Sr. Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell, Henry Harrell, Herbert Harrell, Leon Charles Harrell, Raymond Harrell, Sr., Deloris Harrell Washington, and Oliver Jackson. Oliver Jackson was adopted by Jasper and Josephine after the death of his mother Ethel Temple. Josephine and Ethel were sisters.

In 1859, Alexander Harrell was born a slave

Alexander Harrell
Photo Courtesy of 
Isabel Harrell Cook Collection

Alexander Harrell was born a slave in 1859 to Robert and Darska R. Harrell. The United States Census of 1880 shows that he lived with his parents, grandmother, and siblings in Tangipahoa Parish. His siblings were John Harrell, Marietta Harrell, Anow Harrell, and Margaretta Harrell. His grandmother was Priscilla Blackburn Harrell. Alexander later married Emma Mead Harrell.

His siblings were; Authur Harrell, Ella Harrell, Shelton Harrell, Sr., Henry Harrell, Warner Harrell, Alex Harrell, Edgar Harrell Sr. Cena Harrell, Palmer Harrell, Theodore Harrell, Jasper Harrell, Margie Harrell, and Bertha Harrell. Alexander died in 1914 in Tangipahoa Parish and is buried in Big Zion AME Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana. 

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, he was a farmer by occupation and could read and write.  

Arthur Harrell of Amite, Louisiana

Arthur Harrell and his son Michael Harrell, Sr.
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Arthur  Harrell was born in 1928 in Amite, Louisiana, to Palmer Harrell and Manilla McCoy Harrell. He was the fifth child born. Among his siblings were: Ellis Harrell,  Doris Harrell, Helen Harrell, Theodora Harrell, Audrey Harrell, Joseph Harrell, Vera Harrell, Bobbie Harrell, Yvonne Harrell, and Elbert Harrell. He was married to Ruth Avant. He is the father of four sons, one daughter, and several grandchildren. Arthur took the African DNA test many years ago. Six weeks later, his DNA results were returned. The DNA of his African ancestry was associated with the Mbundu people living in present-day Angola, a Bantu group.

Roosevelt Harrell owned a service station on Plank Road in Baton Rouge, LA

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr. and his wife
Mildred Abbott Harrell
Photo Credit" Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Roosevelt Harrell was the third child born to Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Tangipahoa Parish in 1936. The Harrell family lived in Amite, Louisiana. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1958 and was discharged in 1960. He and his wife Mildred Abbott opened up the Gulf Station full-service gas station in 1966 on Plank Road in Baton, Louisiana. During that time, he served both white and black customers. "He helped many people there. He counseled people. He became an ordained minister following the passing of his brother and friend, Jasper Harrell, Jr.Later, he became the pastor of Gordon Harrell Church of God Christ in Arcola, Louisiana." He and his wife have two children and a grandson. He died in 2001. He is buried at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana.

Harrell family attending a church service in New Orleans, Louisiana

 Henry Harrell, Isabell Harrell Cook, Michael Cook,Sr., 
  and Barbara Owens
Photo Courtesy of Isabel Harrell Cook.

Isabel Harrell Cook her brother Henry Harrell, her son Michael Cook, Sr., and Uncle Henry's daughter Barbara attend church service at New Bethel Church on Lessep Street in New Orleans. It looks like this picture was taken in the late seventies or the mid-eighties. Isabel and Henry are the offsprings of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell. 

Clarence E. Harrell, Jr., of New Orleans, LA

Clarence E. Harrell, Jr.
Photo Courtesy of Juanita Harrell Stewart

Clarence was born to Edgar Harrell, Sr., and Minnie Nolan Harrell in New Orleans in 1924. He learned carpentry from his father. He enlisted in the military on June 15, 1943 in New Orleans, LA., as a Private in the United States Army World War II. He had one sister, Juanita Harrell Stewart. Clarence died in 2000 and he is buried in Providence Memorial Park in Metairie, Louisiana. He was a member of the Famous G. Social and Pleasure Club in New Orleans. 

Minnie Nolan Harrell wife of Edgar Harrell

Minnie Nolan Harrell
Photo Courtesy of 
Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

Minnie was born in Madison County, Mississippi in 1895  Wesley Nolan and Francie Nolan. She was one of six children born to their union. Her siblings were; James Nolan,  Millie Nolan, Lucy Nolan, and Thomas Nolan. Minnie met her future husband Edgar Harrell while picking beans on a farm in Tangipahoa Parish. She and Edgar was the parents of two children; Clarence E. Harrell, and Juanita Harrell Stewart. Two grandchildren; Michael Stewart, Jr., and Gwendolyn L. Stewart.  She and her family lived at 3939 Third Street in New Orleans. LA.  Minnie died in December of 1973.

Juanita Harrell Stewart and her husband Michael Stewart, Sr. home in New Orleans

Photo Courtesy of
Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

This home was built by her father Edgar Harrell. He was a carpenter and built the home. He worked day and night to ensure it was a masterpiece. He was truly a determined and hardworking man. She spent most of her life in New Orleans, LA., until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She lost her home in the hurricane and was forced to relocate to Kentwood, Louisiana with her second cousin Antoinette Harrell. The home was located on St. Bernard Ave. Right across the street from the St. Bernard Project and off I-10 Interstate.

Olga Mae Harrell Johnson daughter of Shelton Harrell and Ada Nolan Harrell

Olga Mae Harrell Johnson
Photo Courtesy of 
Juanita Harrell Stewart Collection

Olga Mae Harrell was born in 1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana in Ward 11. She as born to Shelton Harrell Sr. and Ada Nola Harrell. Her sibling were Shelton Harrell, Jr., Johnnie Harrell, Minard Harrell, Sr.,  and Marion Harrell Harper. She married Marshall Isabelle, Sr. in January 1931 and to their union one son was born, Marshall Isabelle, Jr. 

She lived in the home that her parents built. The home was located at 3213 Toledano Street in New Orleans, LA. She spent some time in Chicago before returning back to the south. 

Jasper Harrell, Jr. and his brother Frank Harrell, Sr.

(L)  Elder Jasper Harrell, Jr. & 
Elder Frank Harrell, Sr.
Photo Courtesy of
Isabel Harrell Cook Collection 

Jasper Harrell, Jr. and his brother Frank Harrell, Sr., were the sons of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Richardson Harrell of Tangipahoa Parish. Jasper was the oldest son and Frank was the fourth son. Jasper attended O.W. Dillon School in Kentwood, LA. After he met and married Primrose Bennett, they made St. Helena Parish their home. The couple had two daughters and three grandchildren. 

Frank made New Orleans his home. He was married to Sadie and they had eight children, many grandchildren, and great-grands. Jasper and Frank were ministers of the Gospel and truck drivers by occupation. Frank enlisted in the United States military.

Henry Harrell and his brother Herbert Harrell

(L) Herbert Harrell and his brother
(R) Herbert Harrell
Photo Courtesy of
Audrey Harrell Dumones Collection

Henry Harrell and Herbert Harrell were born to Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Tangipahoa Parish. Herbert sits to the left and Henry on the right. They were one of ten children born to Jasper and Josephine. Herbert is  younger than his brother Henry. Both brothers were very close and had a strong bond. They both served in the United States military.