Forest Geneva Harrell

The words devoted mother perfectly describe Forest Geneva Harrell. Born Forest Siler in Dallas, September 16, 1928, the youngest of five girls, to parents John and Rebecca Siler, she was literally and figuratively the baby of the family. An often told story is that she was the favorite of her parents and siblings, and had only to ask to be excused from household chores or to receive a favorite treat as she grew up surrounded by the love and care of a doting family. Several years after graduation from Dallas’ Lincoln High School, Forest met and married Curtis Harrell and soon realized her dream of starting her own family. The first child, Haven Mancell, was born in October 1950 followed by Lawana in June 1952, and Sherril Diane in October 1953. Her family complete, Forest spent the children’s early years nurturing them. They were always her joy, and she relished playing sports with them, reading to them, teaching them the alphabet, to count, and to sing. On becoming a single parent due to divorce, Forest and the children moved in with her parents and she went to work, dividing her days between caring for the children and doing domestic work, often returning home after a long day to help with homework, see that baths were taken and to do hair before bed. The next day, she rose early to pack lunches before leaving for work. The product of a deeply religious family, she made sure the children attended church and Sunday school, and taught them to pray, and trust and rely on God. Searching for advancement, Forest found employment as an x-ray technician. Mastering the skill by taking classes and learning from colleagues, she became a valued employee in the practice of a pair of gastroenterologists. When the practice closed, she was hired as a hospital aide at Gaston Hospital, and later joined the staff of the immunization clinic at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Wherever she worked, her friendly demeanor, willingness to assist wherever needed, and her habit of rarely missing a day at work made her a favorite of supervisors and co-workers alike. As the children moved into high school, she counseled them to stay in school and work hard, and served as the ideal role model of a strong work ethic. Upon graduation, the siblings enrolled in college, encouraged by their mother to acquire a post-secondary education. A testament to their mother’s nurture, hard work, encouragement, and Christian witness, all three joined Forest as members of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, and have become responsible, productive citizens. Each considers his and her accomplishments the result of the love and care of an incredible, faith-filled mother to whom they owe everything they are and will ever become. Pre-deceased by her siblings and parents, she leaves to cherish her legacy her children — Haven Harrell, Lawana Porter and Sherril English — son-in-laws Arthur Porter and Charles English, grandchildren Brent and Britney English, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.