Willa Harwell

Sadly, our beloved Willa “Dean” Harwell of McDonough, Georgia passed away on May 1, 2025. Willa Dean Harwell was born on April 24th, 1931 in the family’s white house in the town of Decatur Alabama. She was the first born daughter of Edward Knoblock and Ruby Wilma King.

She had a devout faith at a young age as she would walk to church with her grandmother every Sunday. She was a fast learner and attended Catholic school. As a young girl she had a great love for movie stars and made paper scrapbooks of her favorites. She also loved her little dog named Blackie. After school, she went to work as a cashier and enjoyed her time socializing with friends. She would often go on double dates with her sister, Annie Ruth. She battled an illness in her young twenties that almost took her life. She would often say that her faith was made stronger during her days of illness and that God had a plan for her life.

Not too long after her recovery, she went to church on March 17th, 1956 and met Herbert Harwell. Family introduced these two and on May 25, 1956 the two were wed. Herb and Dean had three children, Herbie, Michael, and Debra. Their children were their lives and Dean was an incredible mom. Dean made her life as a homemaker and instilled a great faith in her children. Dean loved her home and being with family. She enjoyed the simple things of life but had a big personality. She had an impact on each person she interacted with. She was courageous, loving, funny and full of spirit! Her faithfulness and determination sustained her each and every day of her life. Her greatest accomplishments were the love of her husband and being a mom to Herbie, Michael, and Debra and a grandmother to Bethany, Thomas, and Samuel.

Dean is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Harwell, parents Ruby King and Edward Knoblock. She is also preceded in death by her sister Annie Ruth Cooper and Edward Knoblock. Dean is survived by her children, Herbert Harwell, Michael Harwell, Debra (David) Bivens all of McDonough, Georgia. She also leaves behind grandchildren Bethany (Matt) Sauers, Thomas and Samuel Bivens and great grandchildren Elizabeth, David, Michael and Benny. She is also survived by beloved

in-laws, her niece Donna (Kim) DeLozier as well as several other nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will also be greatly missed by the beloved family dog, Millie.

Services for Willa will be Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, 1000 GA-155 N, McDonough, GA 30252. Following will be the committal service at Sherwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 6841 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236.