Jacqueline Beck Harvell, age 86, went to be with the Lord on the morning of Dec. 31, 2016. Friends are invited to join the family Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at Austinville Church of Christ to celebrate her life. Family will visit with friends at the church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with Brother Mark Posey officiating the services to follow.
Known to many as Nana or Ms. Jacque, this sweet woman was born on Dec. 21, 1930, in Albertville, Alabama to Arlin and Bessie Beck. Nana was preceded in death by her parents and a niece, Becky Abercrombie Shepard. Survivors include her loving sister, Frances Beck Abercrombie; four sons, Randy Harvell (Debbie), Ricky Harvell, Ronne Harvell (Candie), and Ruste Harvell (Sami); seven grandchildren, Jason Harvell (Erika), Adam Harvell (Kinzie), Jared Harvell, Jake Harvell (Kristi), Ricky Harvell, Chelsea Head (Matt), and Jordan Harvell; seven great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Joe Abercrombie (Sherry). The grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Nana devoted her professional life to teaching for 35 years, primarily the third grade at Eastwood Elementary School. She loved her students and the joy of watching them learn. It was especially joyful for her to see former students and parents later and hear stories of how she had special impact on their lives.
While most of Nana’s adult life was spent teaching, rearing four rambunctious sons, serving in her church and community, she also found time to be a great wife, an excellent cook, and a talented seamstress (compliments of her mom). She had a natural green thumb and a gift for making everything grow! After retirement Nana more fully enjoyed her love of these talents, as well as easily falling into the role of loving grandmother.
Nana loved the Lord, her church family, and serving others. She was truly a person with a heart of gold. She is now home and rejoicing in Heaven. We will always miss her, always remember her with great love, and look forward to the day when we join her again.
In lieu of flowers, Jacque requested memorials be given to Austinville Church of Christ and directed to their missions fund.
Roselawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.
