He was born on September 19, 1947, in Bessemer, Alabama to the late Lewis Timothy Harwell and Mary Nell Harwell Smith. Randy was a 1965 graduate of Thompson High School and later obtained his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music from the University of Montevallo.
Randy specialized in the trumpet and was a band director at Midfield High School for 18 years. He served as youth/music minister at Fairfield Highlands United Methodist for 10 years. Then he served as minister of music at Fairfield Highlands Baptist Church for 17 years. For the last 17 years, he has enjoyed serving the Lord here at CrossPoint Church. His life was a continuous testament to sharing God's love.
Left to celebrate his memory are his loving wife, Jeannie Harwell; his children, Aaron Harwell (Ginger) and Paige Shelnutt (Shay); his grandchildren, Dakota Harwell, Tanner Harwell, Olivia Peoples (Abe), Lexie Watson (Grant), and Lacie SheInutt; his brother, Charles Smith (Julie); his nieces, Tracey Hinds (Brian) and Kelsey Smith; his nephew, Tim Willis. He is predeceased by his sister, Jean Dawson. He is also survived by many dear friends and fellow musicians.
Visitation will be held at CrossPoint Church on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a service beginning at 2:00 pm. He will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Southern Heritage Cemetery.