Joanne Stanley Harrell

Joanne Stanley Harrell
August 30, 1931 - February 28,2026

Joanne S. Harrell, age 94, of Denison, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 28, 2026. She passed peacefully at home in the presence of her loving family.

Joanne was born on August 30, 1931, in Duncan, Oklahoma, the fourth of five children born to her parents, Felix Stanley and Edna Stanley. The family later moved to Waco, Texas where she graduated from Waco High School, Afte r graduation she started working in secretarial/office jobs and was soon employed in the base commander's office at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco. While at Connally she met her
future husband, Thomas E. Harrell, a fireman who was working at the base fire department. They were married in 1955 and the next year, 1956, they welcomed the birth of a son, Jeffrey, and later a daughter, Janice, was born in 1961. With the birth of her children Joanne became a full-time mom. ln 1965, due to Air Force base closures, the family moved to Sherman, Texas and Perrin Air Force Base where Tom
continued service as a fireman.

When her children got older Joanne went back to work. She was employed many years with the Grayson County Board of Realtors (Greater Texoma Association of Realtors) as their Executive Officer in Sherman. lt was during this time that she became active in Toastmasters and developed skills as a public speaker. Joanne remained active in the community in her retirement years. Church activities were an important part of her life. She was a volunteer with both the Wilson N. Jones Hospital (Sherman Medical Center) Auxiliary and the Medical Plaza Hospital Auxiliary gift shops for several years. Joanne was also active in the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Joanne was a longtime member of Parkside Baptist Church in Denison. She loved her Sunday School class, bible studies and worshiping in song. Although declining health prevented her from attending church in recent years, she enjoyed watching videos of Parkside's services at home. Her previous church memberships were at Trinity Baptist Church in Sherman as well as Sherman's First United Methodist Church, which the family joined upon first moving to Sherman. Joanne knew Jesus as her personal Savior. Her family misses her, but we are comforted that she is now in heaven, talking and walking with a clear mind and a body free of illness.

When Joanne married Tom Harrell she married into a life of boating, RV camping and travel. Some of the most cherished family memories are from days spent camping and boating on Lake Texoma and vacation trips to Arkansas, New Mexico and Colorado. Other fond memories are of when Joanne got together with her sisters, and they entertained everyone present with stories and laughter. Joanne was very close to her sisters throughout her life and, although they were not always living nearby, she remained in close contact with them through phone calls, letters and family get togethers. She gave her family all the joy, love and support that only a mother can give. We were truly blessed to know the love
she had for us and we so loved her in return.

Joanne was predeceased by her parents, husband Thomas E. Harrell, brother Felix. W. Stanley, Jr., and sisters Dorothy Jean Hatley and Catherine Knight.

She is survived by her son, Jeff Harrell of Denison, daughter Jan Dempsey (Tim) of Denison, grandson Brad Carter of Austin, whom she absolutely loved and adored, and sister Patsy Hall of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She is also survived by numerous nieces.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Fisher Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Bob Langford officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior of service.

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