Rita Jane Harrell, 88, of Cherokee, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025. Visitation will be Monday, July 28, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Cherokee. The funeral service will immediately follow in the church sanctuary with Steve Slaton and Frank Whitaker officiating. Interment will be at Harris Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Harrell was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a member of the National Rural Mail Carriers (NRLC). She was also a member of First Baptist Church, Cherokee and was preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Harrell and parents, Furman and Sarah Smith.
Rita is survived by her children, Deborah Cain (Ronnie), James R. Harrell, Jr. (Pattie), Sarita Berry (Danny), and Laurence Harrell (Debbie); grandchildren, Breanna Allen, Eddie Hodges, Baylee Porter, Parker Harrell, and Brandi Young; and great-grandchildren, Matthew Young, Rowen Hutton, Allie James Porter, Malachi and Ryker Allen, and Navy, Maple, and one on the way, Hawk Thomas Harrell.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Moore, Don Campbell, Chapman Porter, Parker Harrell, Mike Worsham, and Ronnie Cain. Honorary pallbearers are Dale Woods and Billy Wayne Moore.
The family expresses special thanks to sitters, Stephanie, Brittney, Paula, Tracey, Haley G., and Haley S.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Cherokee, PO Box 253, Cherokee, AL 35616 or Cherokee Library Friends, PO Box 44, Cherokee, AL 35616.
