Willie Lee Harrel

Willie Lee Harrel, 95, of Owensboro, passed away on February 8th, 2018 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She was born in Philpot, KY on September 17, 1922 to the late William A. and Jessie Potts Lancaster. Willie taught in the Owensboro City School System for 34 years at the elementary grade level, over 20 years at Longfellow School and the rest in Title I at Cravens School. In her teaching years she was a member of the Association of Childhood Education, the International Reading Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma. At the time of her passing she was a member of Kentucky Education Association and the Owensboro Retired Teachers Association.

Willie Lee was a member of St. John United Methodist Church and a long time Sunday school teacher. While attending Church there, she was a member of X.Y.Z., the United Methodist Women, the Monday Morning Prayer Group, the Wednesday Bible Study Group, and the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class. Willie was also a member of the Owensboro Women's Club, and Stanley Chapter #253 Order of Eastern Star.

She was also preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Russell Harrel; a son, Larry Harrel; daughter, Judy Minkus; sisters, Elizabeth Chesser and Beverly Nance; and a brother, Walter Lancaster.

Those left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Peggy Harrel (Larry Hortenbury), of Evansville IN; her son, Ron Harrel (Sally Wynhoff), of Palm Desert, CA; three grandsons, Jason (Courtney) Laszlo, of Dillon, CO, Michael Minkus (Elba Garcia), of Berkeley, CA, and Joshua Minkus (Mary-Helena Clark), of Highland Park, NJ; two great grandsons, Russell and Beck Laszlo; sister in law, Elizabeth Lancaster, of Virginia; son in law, David Minkus of Berkeley, CA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be Noon Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, with Pastor Peggy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 till 8 PM, and on Wednesday starting at 10 AM till service time.

The family has requested that instead of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions take the form of donations to St. John United Methodist Church, 2160 Griffith Avenue Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and expressions of condolences may be left at www.glenncares.com