When reflecting on the life of Carol Harrell words such as devoted, loving,
and faith-filled come to mind, but perhaps the melody that appears the most
throughout her life’s song was her endless love of life. She was vibrant with a
personality that just sparkled wherever she was and it drew others to her with
ease. Carol’s love for her family was unmatched, and as the matriarch of her
extended family she saw to it that everyone had as much fun when they were
together as she did. She was bubbly and outgoing, a woman who never met a
stranger. A genuine gift in the lives of so many around her, Carol’s legacy will
live on in the hearts of those who follow her.
Nestled within the years of the Great Depression was the year 1935 that was
a difficult year to be sure, yet it also boasted of noteworthy accomplishments
such as Amelia Earhart’s solo flight across the Atlantic, the enactment of the
Social Security Act, and the creation of the Works Progress Administration
that was designed to create millions of jobs. This was a year to remember
in the lives of one bustling family from Muskegon, Michigan, for a much
different reason as it was the year they welcomed a healthy baby girl into
their hearts and home on December 4th. Baby Carol Joyce
was the eighth of eleven children born to her parents, Arthur
Edward and Ida (Telleson) Hoover, and was named Carol at
the suggestion of a cousin who declared that her arrival during
the Christmas season blessed the Hoovers with a Christmas
Carol. She was raised in a close-knit family alongside her older
siblings, Virginia, Charles, Donna, Bertram, Lorraine, Betty, and
Doris, and her younger siblings, Richard,
Wayne, and Marilyn. Carol’s father
worked as a machinist while her
mother was a busy homemaker.
Family relationships were front and
center in the Hoover home. Carol’s best
friends were her sisters, and there were
regular family reunions each June or July.
The Hoovers attended Central Lutheran
where Carol received her confirmation,
and Sunday afternoons usually found
their family out for a drive. The family
also spent time making Norwegian
food together and playing lively games
of cribbage. It comes as no surprise to
those who knew Carol that she hated to
lose even as a young girl.
In many ways Carol’s childhood was fairly
typical for the youth of her generation. She
enjoyed playing baseball with her siblings,
high jumping over her father’s cane fishing
pole, and reading, too. Carol attended Porter
Elementary, Moon School, and then
Muskegon High for both junior and
senior high. She graduated in 1954.
Life was forever changed for Carol
when she became acquainted with a
fellow worker at Piston Ring Factory. His name was Bernie Harrell and
although she worked in the office and he worked in the stockroom, he
couldn’t help but notice this cute young girl named Carol and asked her
out. She turned bright red at the invitation, but accepted, and as the story
goes the rest is history. After falling in love Carol and Bernie were married
on April 12, 1958, in Muskegon.
The newlyweds soon settled into a home on Norton Avenue in Norton
Shores and later moved to the home they built in North Muskegon.
Together they were thrilled with the birth of their son, David Alan, in
1967. Carol fully immersed herself into her role as a mother and was
supportive of her son in everything he did. She was always ready to give
him encouragement or even help when needed, and she had plenty of
unconditional love to offer as well. As a homemaker Carol’s skills were
extraordinary as she was clean and organized, and she wasn’t afraid to try
new things in the kitchen either with results that were always fantastic.
Spending time as a family was of the utmost importance to Carol in both
the everyday routines and the more monumental life events, too. They
enjoyed trips to places like Las Vegas, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Florida,
Colorado, and Missouri just to name a few. Carol and her family often went
to Traverse City in May for flowers and wine, and they went again in the
fall to take in the autumn colors and more wine. They also enjoyed turtle
sundaes together once a month.
Extended family continued to play a significant role throughout Carol’s
entire life. Christmas Eve was always spent at the Hoover family home,
and their gatherings were anything but routine. These events were rich in
traditions that meant so much to everyone. Carol loved playing cribbage and
dominos well into the night with her extended family, and as the matriarch
of her family it was Carol who always saw to it that they got together for
holidays and other special occasions. Carol made these gatherings so much
fun as her competitive spirit kept everyone on their toes, and her laughter
was plentiful, especially when the wine was freely flowing! Family weddings
and reunions were something she was sure to make time for.
Although much of her time centered
on her family, Carol’s life was enriched
in other ways, too. She worked as a
secretary at Piston Ring Factory for over
38 years before retiring in 1999. Carol
attended Central Lutheran for
many years and most recently
attended First Lutheran. She
was always active in her
church serving on the altar guild, as an usher, and making vast
amounts of food for activities. Carol made friends easily and
treasured many friendships as the years went by. Carol loved
gardening, computer games, puzzles, and shopping, shopping,
and more shopping! Although she was a resilient woman, she
would not fly as she struggled with claustrophobia.
With her every breath Carol Harrell lived to love others whether her
family and friends, fellow church members, or someone she just met. She
fully embraced every day she was given and made sure those around her
did, too. Carol’s devotion to her family was easy to see, and her laughter was
a delight to hear. Life will never be the same without her here, but Carol’s
memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those who were
blessed to know her.
Carol J. Harrell died on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Carol’s family includes
her husband, Bernard; son, David Harrell of Muskegon; siblings, Donna
(Charles) Dagen of Muskegon, Lorraine VanDyke of Shelby, Doris (Lester)
Stroup of CO, Wayne (Susan) Hoover of IL, Marilyn (Garry) Bradfield of
Muskegon; sisters-in-law, Patricia Reno, Janet (Carlton) Gustin, both of
Muskegon; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Carol was preceded in
death by her parents; sisters, Virginia Crampton, Betty Sturdefant; brothers,
Charles Hoover, Bertram “Pete” Hoover, and Richard Hoover. Services will be
held on Friday, February 24, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran
Church with Rev. William Uetricht officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial
Gardens. Visit with Carol’s family and friends on Thursday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.
at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and Friday, 1 hour prior to
the service. Memorials may be made to First Evangelical Lutheran Church
or Harbor Hospice-Poppen House. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to
leave a memory or sign the online guest book.
Visit LifeStoryNet.com to connect with your friends and family,
share stories, and sign the guestbook. Life Story Funeral Homes®
are the exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience™.
Finally, there is a funeral home worth asking for.