Jasper Harrell, Jr, and Primrose Bennett Harrell Legacy and Offsprings

Jasper Leon Harrell, Jr., was the second child of Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell in Amite, Louisiana. In addition to carrying his father's name, he was the first born son. He attended O.W. Dillion Training School in Kentwood. Unlike most of his brothers, he didn't enlist in the military. After he married his sweetheart Primrose Bennett, they made St. Helena Parish their home. They built their family's home in a peaceful, tranquil environment.There were two daughters and three grandchildren in their family. 

As a truck driver for Red Ball, Jasper was later a preacher of the gospel. Known for his beautiful smile and big heart, he was a man of great character. Among her many other major accomplishments, his wife was a teacher in St. Helena Parish. Primrose's teaching career left a lasting impact on the community in St. Helena Parish. She was beloved by her students and respected by her colleagues for her dedication and passion for education. Many of her former students went on to achieve significant success, crediting her as a pivotal influence in their lives. There two daughters and two grandchildren became successful in their careers. Wanda is the oldest of the two daughters.  Both of his daughters remained living in St. Helena Parish. The place they called home.

He was often referred to as "Boy" by his sisters and brothers. His nieces and nephews called him Uncle Boy. He had a close and affectionate bond with each of them, often acting as a mediator during family disputes. His playful nature endeared him to the younger generation, and his wisdom was respected by all. Despite the nickname, he was a pillar of strength and support in the family.

During their family reunion, Wanda chose a gorgeous gold tee shirt. She wanted to stand out and bring a cheerful, bright energy to the gathering. The color gold also symbolized the precious time they were spending together, making it a perfect choice for the occasion.

Myia Knigten

Reunions are a great way to celebrate family. They provide an opportunity for relatives to reconnect, share stories, and create new memories together. These gatherings help bridge the gap between generations, ensuring that family traditions and values are passed down. By spending time together, family members can strengthen their relationships and foster a sense of unity and belonging. 

It was amazing to see our Harrell family from each branch. The joy and excitement in the air were palpable as we reconnected with cousins we hadn't seen in years. Laughter and heartfelt hugs filled the room, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was a beautiful reminder of the strong bonds that hold our family together.

Through many prayers and leadership, they ensured their offsprings would become the best people in life they could become. Through many prayers and leadership, they ensured their offsprings would become the best people in life they could become. They instilled values such as hard work, integrity, and compassion. By teaching them the importance of perseverance and honesty, they prepared their children to face life's challenges with resilience and moral strength. Additionally, they emphasized the significance of empathy and kindness, encouraging them to make a positive impact on their communities. Their most important lesson was to put God first in their lives and to apply the principles of the Bible.

Isabel Harrell Cook Legacy and Offsprings

Isabel Harrell Cook is the fifth child of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell. Her education and upbringing were centered in Amite, Louisiana. She graduated from West Side High School in 1958. Among the many things she talked about was her love of playing basketball for the Big Zion School in Roseland, LA. 

 Isabel's love for cooking and baking started in her childhood. When she described how she baked her own birthday cake, her eyes lit up.While she was happy that she had baked and decorated her own cake, she was saddened by seeing her father Jasper cut the first slice. Those buttery fluffy homemade yeast rolls became her specialty. The homemade strawberry jam she made and her yeast rolls were unsurpassed.  Just thinking about her yeast rolls makes my mouth water. As Isabel grew older, her cooking skills became more refined and sophisticated. She began experimenting with new recipes and techniques, Her reputation as an exceptional cook spread throughout the family, and she frequently hosted family gatherings where her culinary talents were on full display. The delicacy of her strawberry cake is still talked about today by family members.

Isabel moved her family to New Orleans, Louisiana, after her mother Josephine passed away. On Touro Street, she found a house across from Catherine's. She made New Orleans her home up until Hurricane Katrina. She moved back to Tangipahoa Parish and returned back to New Orleans two to three years later. Hurricane Katrina had a profound impact on Isabel's life, as it forced her to leave the city she had come to love and call home. The devastation of the hurricane meant that she had to rebuild her life from scratch, facing numerous challenges along the way. Despite these hardships, Isabel's resilience and passion for cooking remained unwavering, and she eventually returned to New Orleans, bringing with her the spirit and flavors that had always defined her.

She gave birth to four children. One daughter and three sons. She has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She passed on the family history to her daughter, Antoinette Harrell. Passing down family history is important because it preserves the legacy and traditions of previous generations. It helps family members understand their roots and fosters a sense of identity and belonging. She shared family history, stories, and photographs with her family at every opportunity with great pride and happiness. She would share the same stories over and over as if it was her first time sharing it. 

The legacy she left behind with her daughter and the rest of the family is remarkable. She will always be remembered for her commitment to preserving the past for future generations. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of her family. Antoinette Harrell has taken on the mantle of preserving and sharing the rich history her mother left behind. She meticulously documents family stories, curates old photographs, and organizes family reunions to ensure that Isabel's legacy continues to thrive. Through her efforts, Antoinette has become the family's historian, keeping the spirit and traditions of her mother's cooking and storytelling alive for future generations. Her offsprings wore their beautiful light blue shirt in unity. A beautiful light blue shirt was worn for the family reunion by her offsprings. The light blue color symbolized tranquility and togetherness, which were meaningful sentiments at the gathering. A picture of Isabel, her parents, and four children is displayed on the front of the picture.

 

Raymond Harrell, Sr., offsprings

Raymond Harrell,  Sr., Offsprings

Raymond Harrell is the ninth child of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell. He is the youngest son born to their union. His upbringing and education took place in Amite, Louisiana.  After graduating from West Side High School, he joined the military. Following his discharge from the Army, he returned to Amite for a while before moving to Kenner, Louisiana with his family. 

He and his former wife had two children together. As a legacy, he leaves behind grandkids and great-grandkids. Quiet by nature, he often spent a great deal of time alone. It was his nature to be neat and orderly, and he enjoyed everything to be in its proper place. He loved old school cars, as I recall.  His car was always kept clean at all times. Occasionally, he would take me to the store in the evening. I always receive delicious store-bought treats from him. Interestingly, I was the only one permitted to eat in the car, as I can recall now.  That's amazing! Right now, this means a great deal to me. There is no doubt in my mind that he did not permit some people to ride in his car, nor did he permit anyone to eat or drink in the vehicle. So I had to have a special place in his heart. There is something else that I can recall about him. He had a beautiful smile and kept his hair neat and cut all the time. 

Seeing his branch at the family reunion meant so much. I hadn't seen his son in a long time. I was happy he joined us with his son and granddaughter. Both his children Monteral and Raymond were there with their offsprings. Family gatherings hold unique significance as they provide an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen bonds with loved ones. These reunions become treasured moments where stories are passed down and relationships are rekindled, highlighting the enduring importance of family ties. 

Their electric green family reunion t-shirts indicated that they are descendants of Raymond Harrell, Sr. Each shirt featured a large, bold tree with branches representing various family members' names. I know many family members hasn't seen some of his offspring in a long time. Matter of fact that was the first time some actually met for the first time. 

After her father passed away, Monteral inherited his collection of photographs. Digital images of some of the photographs have been digitized by the Amite Genealogy Library in Amite, Louisiana. Some of them were also published in the book "Images of America" African Americans in Tangipaoha and St. Helena Parishes. It would make her father so proud to know that she handled them with great care and kept them safe. Monteral feels a deep connection to her father every time she looks at them. This is as if she is preserving their legacy and honoring their stories. These images are more than just pictures; they are tangible links to all our roots and the love passed down through the years. 

Frank Harrell, Sr. and Sadie Pearl Harrell Offsprings

Frank Harrell, Sr. and Sadie Pearl Harrell
 offsprings. The homestead of Emma Mead Harrell
Amite, Louisiana 

Frank Harrell, Sr. was the fourth child born to Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell. He was raised and educated in Amite, Louisiana. He enlisted in the military after graduating from school. His oldest sister Catherine lived in New Orleans, and he spent a lot of time in New Orleans before making it his home. 

That's where he met Sadie Pearl, the love of his life. Frank and Sadie built a beautiful life together in New Orleans, filled with love and laughter. They enjoyed exploring the vibrant culture of the city, from jazz music, Mardi Gras parades in the French Quarter to Creole cuisine. In later years, he became a gospel preacher. Through their beautiful union, they brought forth eight children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their branch was well represented at the reunion of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell. It was the first time that some of the youth met other branches of Jasper and Josephine's tree. 

I remember spending a week with them in New Orleans during the summer when they lived on Touro Street and Mazant Street. What I recalled the most was the luxurious hardwood floors and high ceilings. From breakfast to dinner, the aroma of delicious cooked meals filled the air.  Sadie was an excellent cook and kept an immaculate household. Their home was always filled with people eating delicious home- cooked meals on Sundays. I will never know how she  fed so many people, all I know is there was always enough food for everyone. Greeting you with a beautiful smile and hug, she gave you a warm welcome. Every time you visited her, you felt welcome, and she treated everyone in the same manner. If they didn't have enough food,  Frank would go out and purchase food for everyone. That was just their nature and hospitality. "But let me also point out that from the homeless person to the dignitaries, everyone was treated the same." 

Seeing them at the family reunion brought back these beautiful memories. Their  eight children  are now parents and grandparents. Their dedication to family and love for each other left a lasting legacy on their descendants. Their children and grandchildren were deeply influenced by the values of hard work, faith, and unity that  they embodied. The warmth and strength of their household continue to inspire generations fostering a deeper connection within their family. 

Family History at the Amite Genealogy Library

Their family wore white shirts with a family tree on them. It is not uncommon for this branch to have tee shirts made for family events. The white shirts with the family tree stood out as they played games, shared stories, and took a massive group photo on the homestead of Jasper's mother Emma. Since 1869, the land has been in the family. The shirts became a symbol of unity and tradition, capturing the spirit of the day.

That is the spirit of their branch. They come together to celebrate each other and support each other. This is something that has been passed down to them by their loving parents. 

The offsprings of Catherine Harrell Lewis

Children and Grandchildren of 
Catherine Lewis Harrell

Catherine Lewis Harrell was the oldest child of Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell.  Amite Color School was the school where she was educated. She moved to Violet, Louisiana after marrying Ernest Lewis, Sr. The majority of her life was spent in New Orleans and Amite, Louisiana, where she raised her children. "She was called Cat by her family members most of the time. Catherine was known for her tasty home-cooked meals. Her infectious smile made her a beloved figure in her family. 

Every summer I went to New Orleans and spent a week with her and my cousins. I recall most vividly the house she lived in when she lived on Gov. Nicholls and Touro Street. On Touro Street, she lived down the street from Caruso's, the local corner store. Her home was between Urquhart and Marais Streets. We walked to that corner store for our favorite treats. That was the first time I tried Big Shot Pineapple and Giant Cola sodas. A nice cold soda and a bag of potato chips was our treat for the evening. 

When the children were growing up in New Orleans, they all got dressed to go outside to play, riding their bikes and skating around. Occasionally, me and my cousins would walk to the frozen cup lady's house and buy cool sweets. After a slow walk back home, I watched the other children play "cool can" with anticipation of participating in the game myself before the street lights came on. As soon as the street lights came on, every child knew what it meant. It was time to go inside. These memories instilled in me a deep sense of community and family togetherness. They taught me the importance of simple pleasures and the joy that comes from shared experiences. Growing up with these traditions has left a lasting impact on my values and the way I cherish relationships today. Spending time with my cousins was very nice. It really made me want to have a large family. Catherine's family was the largest of Jasper and Josephine.

Left to Right: James Lewis, Darren Lewis, Alvin Lewis and 
Tomekia Bergeron Diamond

She had fourteen children. Her children and grandchildren have all achieved great success in their careers. Several of her children left the Deep South and made the East and West Coast their home. Elaine, her daughter once lived in Japan with her family. Darren and his family travel extensively domestically and internationally. She has a son who is a renowned chef and has traveled around the world as well.

Many of her grandchildren have achieved great success. I am sure she would have been proud of her family. Her legacy lives on through the achievements and principles of her descendants. Her offspring wore purple t-shirts for the family reunion. The purple t-shirts symbolized unity and a shared heritage among the family members. The matching attire served as a visual reminder of the family's deep connection and the values she instilled in them. I enjoy seeing all my cousins again. It brought back so many childhood memories. 

Tomekia Bergeron Diamond and her older sister
Elaine Lewis Daniels.

 

Harrell family reunion celebrated, embraced, and discovered family history

Marleigh Thompson
Harrell Family Reunion
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Recently, the Harrell family held a reunion for Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. The theme for this year: Eleven Branches Coming Together. Their family is quite large. Family gatherings like this reunion play a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening family bonds between relatives.

Family reunions are extremely meaningful for black families, especially in the South. There was a time when family reunions were held every Sunday after church at Big Mama's and Papa's house. There has been a shift in family gatherings over the decades. Many families have used funerals as a gathering point for large gatherings. “Many may have heard this statement at funerals: "We need to get together more often. Does this sound familiar?” Yes, we all have at one time or another. Families have to bring back the days of family gatherings. There are so many benefits of coming together as a family.

A Meet & Greet was chaired by Monteral Harrell Sopsher to kick off their family reunion and welcome everyone.  She worked very hard to create activities that included everyone. As part of the activities, participants were asked to get up and meet someone they had never met before. They were also asked to take photographs with them. Antoinette Harrell, an author donated family history books as a prize and provided the youth genealogy coloring and activity books. The Harrell family reunion committee discuss the importance of being inclusive to family history.  Passing knowledge of family history to the next generation is important.  When it comes to family reunions, what would a reunion be without history? 

On the next day,  Antoinette Harrell led a large group on a family history tour. The first stop on their tour was a cemetery where their ancestors are buried. That was the first time some of the Harrell family visited the church where their ancestors worshipped.  During time and period the church were called  Gordon Chapel God in Christ. Our grandparents Jasper Leon Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell attended this church with their children. Before they became COGIC, (Church of God in Christ). Jasper and Josephine attended  African Episcopal Methodist  churches. Josephine's family attended Rocky Hill AME Church in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Jasper's parents belonged to Big Zion AME Zion Church in Roseland, Louisiana. The family was very excited to learn this history.

Their next tour was the land where Jasper and Josephine lived. The land was purchased by Jasper's mother Emma Mead Harrell in 1896, and was subsequently added to in 1902. A few family members were unfamiliar with the land, but were excited to walk on the land their ancestors once owned and still own today. Jasper and Josephine's 5th great grandchild, Antoino Payne, Jr., expressed his excitement to learn that his ancestors owned land in an interview. More importantly to learn that five generations later, they still own the land. Terri Harrell Jackson and her sister Yolanda Harrell Davis shared childhood stories about walking in the woods to the deep red pond on the property. The pond is over 30 feet deep filled with red clay. The sisters often pretend they were in the Grand Canyon. 

Terri Harrell Jackson teaching her
great niece Ty'Janae Davis

Finally, they visited the Amite Genealogy Library to see what digitally preserved Harrell family history there was on the shelves. Antoinette Harrell and her first cousin Monteral Harrell Sopsher   worked hard to rewrite the narrative  in the genealogy library.  In 1994 Antoinette Harrell, the family historian and local family history historian began researching  the Harrell  family history,. During that time there were no books about black families on library shelves. The Harrell family  has called Tangipahoa Parish home since 1869.

Monteral inherited a large collection of photos from her father Raymond Harrell, Sr. after he passed away. She contributed photos to  Harrell’s book "Images of America" African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Several photographs from her collection have been digitized by the Amite Genealogy Library.  Seeing their family and ancestors in the library sparked excitement and empowerment in the  Harrell family. It was at that point that Harrell realized  all her efforts had been worthwhile.

"The Harrell family has passed down a tradition of preserving and sharing photographs from generation to generation. My father, Raymond Harrell, ensured aunt Ella Harrell Keith's priceless collection was not lost after her death."It stands as testament to the enduring power of love in a world that is constantly changing," said Monteral Harrell Sopsher. In today's world, family photos are shared via social media platforms and technology. Gone are the days of physical photo albums and passing around printed pictures. Now, with just a few clicks, family photos can be instantly shared. All methods of preserving and sharing family photographs should be embraced.

Gordon-Richardson Temple of Deliverance COGIC
Cemetery Tour
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

The Harrell family banquet featured a memorial service and award ceremony for deceased loved ones. The banquet was beautifully decorated by Wanda Harrell Knighten. Untold History Foundation, LLC awarded awards to the family of Isabel Harrell Cook, the family griot, and for preserving photographs and funeral programs. The Harrell family photographs dated back to the late 1800s were preserved by Raymond Harrell, Sr., and over sixteen hundred African American funeral programs were preserved by Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier. A proclamation was presented by Antoinette Harrell, family historian, to Cheryl St. Amant, reunion organizer.

Most importantly the family came together to share love, learn about our Harrell family history, and build for a better and stronger tomorrow for the youth in our family.  Many of the family members was heard saying: we are the elders now. As Antoinette Harrell thought about that statement, it made her realized that family reunions are more then eating and lining dancing. It is educational, fostering stronger bonds, and family support. The family is  looking forward to the next family reunion that will be chaired by Terri Harrell Jackson.