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.