Roy Wallace Harrell, Jr.

Published 1:57 pm Friday, October 14, 2016

Roy Wallace Harrell, Jr.

Roy Wallace Harrell, Jr. of Dadeville, passed away Monday, Oct. 10.

He was born on December 13, 1930 in West Point, Ga., son of the late Roy Wallace Harrell, Sr. and Pearl (Bebe) Rice Colville Harrell.

Roy graduated from West Point High School in 1949. He attended Darlington Academy, West Georgia College, and South Georgia College. He graduated from Auburn University in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. In 1957, he earned a master’s degree in Sports Management from Florida State University. On June 17, 1959 he married Julie Rhett Sheppard of Verbena.

Roy taught high school math and physical education and coached football in Alabama with his career including stops in Verbena, Selma, Georgiana, Cottondale, and Satsuma.  In 1964, he coached the Satsuma High School football team to a state championship.

Roy enjoyed boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed spending time at Lake Martin, beginning at the age of two. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast as a participant and fan. He played in many West Georgia College alumni football games and at age 70 he tried out for the semi-pro football team, the Columbus Wardogs. In 1996, he ran the Olympic torch through LaGrange, Ga., on its way to Atlanta. He was generous to friends, family and his church. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, and grandfather.

Roy was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy.

He is survived by his wife, Julie of Dadeville; his daughters, Sarah Brownlee of Tampa, Fla., (Hunter), Louisa Patterson of Auburn (Paul), Amanda Hensley of Dunwoody, Ga., (Brett), and Hannah Albers of Albuquerque, N.M.; his son, Roy Wallace Harrell, III of Mobile (Lindsay); brother, Colville of West Point, Ga.; sister, Gail Ball of Dallas, Texas; nine grandchildren, Roxanna, Virginia, Amanda, Christine, Clayton, Julie, Jane, Georganna, and Hunter; and one great granddaughter, Ellen.

A memorial service will be held on Lake Martin on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 pm.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Verbena High School Athletic Department. Checks should be made payable to Verbena High School and mailed to Verbena High School, 202 County Rd 510, Verbena, AL 36091, attention: bookkeeper.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directing.