of Conway, AR

August 3, 1929 - October 23, 2023

Charles Rand Harrell was born at home in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 3, 1929, to Theodore and Adys Gertrude Harrell. He grew up in a loving home with four sisters and two brothers, attending Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduating in 1947. Charles attended the Nazarene Church in Little Rock with his parents and siblings. Charles moved to Bethany, Oklahoma to attend Bethany Penial College graduating with a BS in religion in 1951, while also serving in the Naval Reserves. He met the love of his life, Mary LaVonne Ward, and they married on December 25, 1951, and remained happily married for almost 70 beautiful years living in Conway, Arkansas. Early in their marriage Charles was drafted into active military service and transferred to the Army leaving wife and baby (Mary) to serve in Germany following WWII. After returning home, he worked for his father selling Merchants Wares in rural Arkansas and his father-in-law at Ward's Body Works. Later, he joined the civil service becoming a Letter Carrier in Conway.

Charles was a devoted dad and grandad to his family. He and LaVonne traveled across the US to see their children and grandchildren; always enjoying the opportunities to see new things and meet new people. Dad became an expert at finding new vistas for Mother to paint. They showed us all how to live, devoting time and resources to a love of the Lord, and their church. Music ran deep in their souls, something the family continues as a legacy today. He is survived by three daughters, Mary Kathryn Murdock, Teresa Suzan Gartung (husband Bill) and Barbara Charlene Lowry (husband Jon Paul); four grandchildren, Rebekah Suzan Gartung, Jon Rand Lowry (wife Kendell), William Isaac Gartung, Kaitlyn Christine Gartung, and one great-grandchild, Everlee Grey Lowry; sister, Lois Clements, and brother, John Harrell.

The funeral service will be Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11:00am, in the chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. There will be an hour's visitation prior to the service. Final interment, with military honors, will follow the service at Crestlawn Memorial Park, Conway.

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