Lillie Harrell

Published 4:17 pm Monday, September 9, 2019

Mrs. Lillie “Momma Lillie” Harrell, the third child born to the late John P. Bender and Frances Berry Bender was born on March 5, 1930. She went to be with the Lord on September 3, 2019. She will be remembered for her vibrant, outgoing personality, passion for education, advocacy for justice, willingness to provide a loving home for children and most of all, her love and devotion to her church, family, and friends. She accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal savior at an early age. Later, she joined Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully in the church until her health failed. Throughout life, she acknowledged God as the source of her life and blessings.

She attended public schools in Lowndes County and graduated from Lowndes County Training School. She worked to earn money to enroll in Selma University where she earned her Associates Degree. After working odd jobs to earn enough money to further her education, she enrolled in Alabama State University where, over the years, she earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a master’s in education, and an educationalspecialist degree in mathematics. She taught in several Alabama and Georgia school districts until 1968 when she joined Selma City Schools. During her tenure with Selma City, she taught mathematics at Westside Junior High School, Francis Thomas Elementary, and Eastend Elementary. Realizing that Selma had many students who were at risk of dropping out of school, she fought to address this need. As a result, she was one of the first educators to serve in Selma City’s Alternative School, later named Phoenix. In 1994, she retired from Selma City School after serving 27 years.

Her devotion to education and children did not end at retirement. For years, she taught and tutored at risk students free of charge to help them transition back to public school or get a GED. She also continued to provide foster care to countless children until her health declined. Momma Lillie was truly a “Mother of Many”.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Harrell; four brothers: O.C., George, Willie Mack, James, and L.C. Bender, and one sister, Martha Green.

Her life will be forever cherished in the lives of her two daughters: Dr. Quintella Harrell of Jonesboro, Georgia and Dr. Renita Harrell of Prattville; three sisters: Fannie Lee of St. Louis Missouri, Willie Mae Christian of Alexandria, Virginia, and Marie Lamb of Albany, New York; two brothers: Sam Bender and Alfred Bender of Selma, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Charlotte Jackson of Selma; five grandchildren: Dr. Ericka Woodson of Stockbridge, Georgia, Khesa Harrell of Norcross, Georgia, Kerrod Harrell of McDonough Georgia, Curtis Mitchell, Jr. of Birmingham, and Julius Toodle, Jr. of Prattville; four great-grandchildren, Kerrod Jordan Harrell, Tristen Woodson, and Nathan Chappell of Georgia, and Paris Harrell of Montgomery, Alabama; two god-children: Krystal Cunningham of Morrow, Georgia and Demetrius Sanders of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, friends and a devoted caregiver; Julie Basant.