Joan E. Harrell

Joan E. Harrell, Age 70, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Joan was born on March 3, 1953, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky to George and Anita Tisdale. She was a longtime resident of the MS Gulf Coast. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s of Science degree with Special Honors and worked in the field of education for 25 plus years. Joan adored her students, and remembered each of their names and faces. She was a member of the Mosaic Church in Ocean Springs, and enjoyed the Mardi Gras season with her friends and family, dancing, boating, and most of all, family outings! She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt, and will be missed by all that knew her. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anita Tisdale. 

Survivors include her loving husband, Rickey Harrell; two sons, Brently Gene (Tammy) Harrell, and Ashley Shaun (Jana Speese) Harrell; 3 grandchildren, Audrey Elizabeth Ugas, William Easton Speese and Carson Brady Speese; her siblings, Roy Mitchell (Karen) Tisdale, Terilynn Anita (Marvin) Havard, Norman Willis Tisdale, Bruce Terry Tisdale, and Tonya Kaye (Eldred) Green; Sisters-in-law, Minnie Nell Spicer, and Charlette Ann Prine; Brothers-in-law, Ronnie Dean (Brenda) Harrell, and Charles Donnie (Jeanette) Harrell; and her two loving cats, Leia and Lunar. She also leaves behind 52 nieces and nephews.

 In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in Joan’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Services will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, followed by an 11:00 am funeral service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi at 12:30PM.

 Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joan E. Harrell.