Marthena Harrell

Marthena Harrell, 94, of Valdosta, passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Fellowship Home. She was born on September 1, 1926 in Valdosta to the late Dudley Bryan Rambo and Lucille Cooper Hardy Rambo. She graduated from Valdosta High School in 1941, afterwards she attended to Cosmetology School in Valdosta then moved briefly to Thomasville. She later met Rudolph Harrell in Valdosta and they started dating and were married in her mother’s house on April 4, 1946. They were married for 43 years prior to his death in 1989. Rudolph worked for the railroad and they moved the couple to Macon, Atlanta, Albany, and then Valdosta where he left the railroad and started a grocery store. Mrs. Harrell worked at Pantry Pride during this time before going to nursing school and became a CNA. She worked briefly at Pineview Hospital, which is now South Georgia Medical Center, before going to work for the LaHood Family at Fellowship Nursing Home. She worked there for 17 years before retiring to care for family members. She enjoyed playing BINGO with her friends at Fellowship Nursing Home.
Mrs. Harrell is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Iris and John McDaniel, of Valdosta, daughter Ina Rountree, of Hahira, grandchildren, Brett (Donna) McDaniel, Jim (Melissa) Killgore, Eric Maples, Brooke (Allen) Barr, Kim Killgore Block, Lindsae (Gene) Maine, and Mara (Cody) Radney; seventeen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Margaret Harrell; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph Harrell, daughter and son-in-law Tina and Steve Capistran, and son-in-law Bill Rountree.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 4:30 pm at Providence Church with Mr. Buddy LaHood and Mr. Joe Shown officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 4-4:30pm. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Providence Church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.