HARRELL, Robert David

Robert David Harrell "Mr. Bob", age 95, passed away on July 13, 2022. Bob was born in Morristown TN in 1927 to Robert Clyde and Martha Pless Harrell, both of Morristown, TN.

Bob grew up in Morristown TN, a small idyllic town in east TN. While attending the University of Tennessee, he was drafted into the Army during WWII and worked in communications. After being discharged from the Army, he went on to become the editor of the Morristown Sun which began a lifetime career in journalism.

In 1951, Bob married his life-long love Katherine Minerva Harrell. They had grown up across the street from each other in Morristown TN and were friends, dance partners and adventurers. They moved to Kingsport, TN, Nashville, TN and finally to Atlanta, GA which they would call home for the next 25 years. During this time, five children (Martha, Mary, Margaret, Robert and Charlie) rounded out their loving family. The family enjoyed camping and hiking through-out the state of Georgia. Bob, Katherine and Charlie moved to Newnan, GA in 1979 where he remained until his passing.

As they moved through Tennessee, Bob worked as City Editor of the Elizabethton Star, Kingsport Time News feature writer and Nashville Banner Outdoor Editor. Once in Atlanta, he was hired as the picture editor of the Atlanta Journal and then feature writer for the Atlanta Constitution writing a column called "Dateline Georgia". This was his dream job which involved interviewing and writing about the heart and soul of Georgia. Writing and photography were his passions and this work included both. He received multiple accolades from many organizations for his contributions to the growth of tourism. These accolades culminated in a Resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives for his contributions to the State of Georgia. Through his Georgia travels, he became interested in agriculture and moved to Newnan, GA to start a vineyard. The next 40 years of his life were devoted to his family and cultivating his vineyard.

Bob was a person who truly lived life to it's fullest. He was full of wisdom and gratitude.

After 57 years of marriage, Bob lost his beloved wife Katherine. He is survived by his five children Martha (Larry), Mary, Margaret (Burk), Robert (Christine) and Charlie. He is also survived by his three grandchildren Angela (Elizabeth), Joshua and Katie (Bret). He was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren Brayden, Cash, Riah and Lillian and several nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased in life by his parents, Robert and Martha Harrell, his wife Katherine, his sister Barbara Franklin and his grandson Carl Yarber.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckoon.com.

A celebration of life will be held at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan, Georgia on August 27, 2022 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers please contribute to your favorite charity and be sure to hug your loved ones.

McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Aug. 23, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Harrell

Sponsored by McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory.

4 Entries

Mary Elsner

August 17, 2024

He was a special person i helped him and his sweet wife he loved so much he was there for me and Michael we were going through a lot with Michael cancer both of them helped us they both are missed loved them both mary

Wendy Corbett Moore

August 29, 2022

Sending condolences to the family. My father, Eugene Corbett, also grew up in Morristown and he was a Bo Harrell fan. I remember his wife and many children when I met them at our Atlanta Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Happy to remember them both.

Jim Holt

August 28, 2022

So sorry to hear of the passing of Bob Harrell. For years I enjoyed his travel articles in the AJC and took many trips with certain destinations that were the result of his intriguing descriptions and guidance. Was able to meet him through a chance encounter some years ago on his farm off the Franklin Highway where we discussed our shared love on log cabins sitting on the porch of the cabin he and his wife had built. A friend and I had never met him before but he shared stories as if he had known us all his life. So sorry to learn of his passing.

Marion Palmgren

August 26, 2022

I grew up in Morristown and his sister, Barbara Harrell Franklin was my best friend. I knew him as Bo and I know how very proud his family was of him! I moved to Atlanta in 1963 and loved his articles in the paper!

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