Susan B. Harrell, age 56, of Elberta, passed away Sept. 26, 2012, after a seven year battle with breast cancer.
Susan was born April 20, 1956, to the late Charles Beaver in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She is survived by her mother, Shirley (Barney) Kirchoff of Colfax, Wisconsin. Susan is survived by her husband, Thomas A. Harrell of Elberta. They were married for 23 years. She is also survived by two sons, Tom Harrell (Jenny) of Lafayette, Calif., and a grandson Nolan; a son, David Harrell and a granddaughter Sophie of Pensacola, Fla. She also leaves behind a sister, Julie Kinney (Mark) of Menomonie, Wisconsin, and two nieces, Angie (Dan) Low; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Katie Kinney and son David Fern, also of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Susan leaves behind a host of good friends, work colleagues and extended family. She graduated from Altoona High School in 1974. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in Stephens Point and her graduate degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. She was a Licensed Professional Counselor. Susan worked for just over nine years with Baldwin County Schools as a school counselor, serving first at the Alternative School and then at Gulf Shores High School. Prior to her work with Baldwin County Schools, Susan worked with Baldwin County Mental Health. Family and friends were Susan’s love and joy. She loved to knit and gave away many of her handiworks. She also loved her animals, especially her dogs. Susan and Tom traveled in their motor home with dogs in tow to visit 46 states over the past four years after her diagnosis. A Celebration of Life is planned for Susan on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. The service will follow at 5 p.m. from Pine Rest Funeral Home on Highway 98. Susan lived life graciously with humility, compassion, intelligence and humor. Susan requested that a Scholarship Fund be set up in her name at United Bank. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please mail your donations to Susan B. Harrell Scholarship Fund, c/o United Bank, P.O. Box 189; Summerdale, Alabama 36580. The family wishes to thank all of those who visited and cared for her over the last seven years. Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home.
