Joyce Herrell

HERRELL, Joyce G. Age 86. Passed away November 26, 2011. Born in Chuckey, TN, July 15, 1925, Joyce Herrell made it to the big city of Nashville with her husband, Ernest, in 1953 and stayed the rest of her life, raising a family and enjoying the company of her many friends. She grew up in Johnson City, TN, and attended the East Tennessee State College training school before graduating from Science Hill High School in 1943. In 1944 she married Ernest Herrell of Johnson City and later moved with him to Kingsport, TN, when he took a job with the J. Fred Johnson department store. They moved to Nashville in 1953 when he began a long career as a menswear buyer with the Cain-Sloan Co. Smart and always quick with a wisecrack, Joyce brought humor into every situation. She was equally at home hosting New York City executives or hand-cranking ice cream at a family reunion in East Tennessee. She led by example, letting her children make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed watching television, her favorites being variety shows and comedies. Ernest preceded her in death in 2008. She loved to travel with him, whether accompanying him to New York on a business trip or traveling to their special spot, Bermuda. Joyce and Ernest were longtime members of Crievewood Baptist Church. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Lola Peters McNeese and Jacob A. G'fellers; stepfather, C.J. McNeese; and stepmother, Clara Ruth G'fellers. Survived by her daughters, Linda Sweeney Mike, Nashville, and Marjo Mecke, Greeneville, TN; and son, Keith Robin, Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Patrick Sweeney, Shannon Call Cory, Chris Mecke, Melissa Mecke, Nate Herrell and Carrie Zuend Robin; great-grandchildren, Britton Call and Sadie Call; and dear cousin, Agnes Keifer. The life celebration service will be at 3pm on Monday, November 28, 2011 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home with Bill Smith officiating. Interment to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation, Monday, 1pm-3pm at HARPETH HILLS FUNERAL HOME 9090 Hwy 100 Nashville, 615 646-9292