Esther Vivian Harrell

Esther Vivian Harrell, age 101, left this world peacefully on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Born December 24, 1923 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to the late Lafayette Brown and Lossie Bryant Brown, Esther married her childhood Tarboro friend, James L. Harrell. They moved to Washington, D.C. in her young adult years, where they were blessed to build a beautiful happy life.

Always highly motivated and a hard worker, Esther entered the federal government as a civilian employee in the role of secretary/ administrative assistant and successfully worked her way up over the years to become a statistician with the U.S. Department of Labor before retiring in 1985.

Esther and James were devoted lifetime members of Church of the Atonement Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Esther Vivian Harrell had a smile that illuminated every room she was in and she always had a word of encouragement. Her family was at the center of her life and she generously supported the many generations who now carry on her legacy of love, service, and resilience.

Esther V. Harrell was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, James L. Harrell in 1995 and her one daughter, Deborah Harrell Arline in 2019.

She is survived by her three grandchildren, Paula (and her husband, Ray), Anthony (and his wife Nicci), and Philip (and his wife Ingrid); her great grandchildren, Hannah, Rae, Abby, Kyle, and Donny; and one great great grandson, Carter, along with many family members and friends who loved and appreciated her.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home and Cemetery with the Burial immediately following. 3401 Bladensburg RD Brentwood, MD 20722

The 10 a.m. Funeral Service will be LIVE STREAMED here: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25077735149573

May Her Memory Be A Blessing.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

Amen.