Midlred L. Harrell

Mildred L. Harrell Dec. 17, 1920 - Oct. 18, 2010 Resident of Oakland, CA Mildred Harrell passed away peacefully on Monday, October 18, 2010. She was 89 years old. She touched many lives, with her friendliness and enthusiasm for life. Mildred was born in Marshall, Arkansas to Vina L. (Smithson) and Tasso Steen. She was preceded in death by her husband James Harrell in 1991 along with her brothers Don Bryan, Coy Bryan, Willie Steen, Paul Steen, Clarence Steen and her sister Opal Hollis. Mildred is survived by her sisters, Alta Hensley of Pleasant HIll; Julah Steen of Oakland and Rhoda Eichelberger of Emeryville, CA; brother-in-law Russell Hensley of Pleasant Hill, CA and Modene Steen of Western Grove, Arkansas. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Mildred moved to Emeryville, California with her husband James during World War II. She went to work in the Richmond shipyards during the war, along with her sisters Opal Hollis and Julah Steen. After the war she went to work for Langendorf Bakeries in Oakland and was a member of the Bakeries Union until she retired in 1980. After James retired, Mildred & James moved to Clearlake Oakes, California where they spent their time fishing and Mill, always cooking up some kind of goodies to snack on. They really enjoyed their life there with their little dog Muffy. With James passing Mildred moved back to Oakland to live with her sister Julah in Oakland. You could always find her in the kitchen cooking up a cake or brownies or something good to eat while watching her favorite baseball team, the Oakland A's. Although she didn't have any children, she loved all her nieces and nephews as if they were her own and they all loved her. Her nickname given to her by her nieces and nephews was "Mamma Mill". She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 1 to 5 and a funeral service on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 1:00PM at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 4499 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland, CA 94611 - 510-654-0123.