Paul Daniel Harrell

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Visitation will precede the service from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Paul was born at home in rural Rankin County on September 14, 1935, to Edward and Daisy Harrell. He graduated as salutatorian from Pisgah High School before attending Mississippi College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1959.

On September 8, 1957, Paul married the love of his life, Sarah Maurer. They shared more than 54 wonderful years of marriage before Sarah's passing in January 2012. Paul went on to earn his Master of Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961, preparing for a lifetime of faithful ministry.

Paul began his vocational ministry as Minister of Education at Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi, and later served in the same role at First Baptist Church in Louisville, Mississippi. In 1965, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Brotherhood Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson where one of his favorite activities was directing Royal Ambassador (RA) camps throughout the state. He became Brotherhood Director in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 2001.

During his tenure as Brotherhood Director, Paul provided visionary leadership that led to the establishment of Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief, a faith-based volunteer ministry dedicated to serving communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. Under his leadership, the ministry grew into one of the nation's most respected disaster response organizations, recognized alongside the American Red Cross for its commitment to compassionate service. Volunteers provided mass feeding, chainsaw and debris removal, chaplaincy, and other critical assistance to those in need.

The ministry's first major responses included the 1978 Utica tornadoes and the Easter Pearl River flood of 1979. In 1985, Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief expanded its reach internationally by responding to the devastating earthquake in Mexico City. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, volunteers also traveled to New York City to minister to first responders and those affected by the tragedy.

Following his retirement from the Brotherhood Department in 2001, Paul continued serving through the Partnership Missions/Missions Mobilization Department on a part-time basis until 2017. He established numerous partnerships between Mississippi Baptists and other states and countries to further the spread of the gospel. His dedication to the work of the Lord remained unwavering throughout his life.

Paul was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. He was also an active leader in the Mississippi Baptist Religious Education Association, serving as president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer.

Paul's life was marked by humble leadership, steadfast faith, and a deep commitment to serving Christ through ministry and missions. His legacy lives on in his devotion to his family, the countless lives he touched, the churches he strengthened, and the disaster relief ministry that continues to bring hope and help to people in times of greatest need. While he will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him, they rejoice in the assurance that he is now in the presence of his Savior, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Daisy Harrell; his beloved wife, Sarah Harrell; and his brothers, Talmadge Harrell and H.T. Harrell.

He is survived by his two daughters, Paula Harrell Eaves (Dan) of Preston, Mississippi, and Maura Harrell of Bedford, Texas; his son, Lewis Harrell (Tami) of Pontotoc, Mississippi; his sister, Dottie Merchant of Oxford, Mississippi; and his brother, Charlie Harrell of Jackson, Mississippi. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Hannah Harrell Young (Nick) of Macon, Mississippi; Tommy Lee Kirkpatrick III (Jamie) of Jackson, Mississippi; Paul Daniel Harrell II (Kayla) of Benbrook, Texas; Madeleine Kirkpatrick of Brandon, Mississippi; Benn Harrell (Ellen) of Starkville, Mississippi; and Todd (Kelly) Eaves of Preston, Mississippi, as well as nine cherished great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

His grandsons and grandson in law will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Berean class at First Baptist Jackson.

Memorials may be made to Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, PO Box 530, Jackson, MS 39205.

Grateful appreciation is expressed to the staff on Sienna second floor at St. Catherine's Village for their wonderful, compassionate care of Paul for the past two years.