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Ray Harrell, 88, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Friday, January 21, 2022.

The funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at First Baptist Church with his pastor and friend, Rev. Chris Humphries, officiating.  Interment followed at Roselawn Memory Gardens with Miller Smith, Robert Smith, Parker Heard, Drew Smith, Sam Jones, Mike Jones, and Jimmy Inlow serving as active pallbearers. The Baracca Sunday School Class, the “golf group”, Tim Thompson, Jerry Pollock, Jerry Henry, Ted Martin, Hugh Lanier, and Charles Tyson served as honorary pallbearers.

The family received friends from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to: The Ted Harrell Scholarship, Bainbridge High School, 1 Bearcat Boulevard, Bainbridge, GA 39819 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Bainbridge, GA 39818.

Rabun Franklin Harrell was born September 7, 1933, in Wrightsville, Ga., the son of William & Florea Mayo Harrell. He was a graduate of ABAC and University of Georgia. (Ray often said he went to college to get out of the cotton patch.) He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. In 1966, he moved to the Bainbridge community and never wanted to leave. Many will remember Ray for his friendly demeanor at “Your Neighborhood Stone’s Store” and his involvement at First Baptist Church, the Baracca Sunday School Class, the Chancel Choir, and Saints Alive Choir.

Ray was honest and sincere, a man of integrity who loved his family. He offered great counsel. Ray’s humble beginning taught him “you are either part of the problem or part of the solution”. He encouraged others and loved to tell stories. His memoir would include playing baseball at ABAC, armchair quarterbacking the Georgia Bulldogs, singing on the radio, square dancing with Dale, being the state winner of the 4H Sweet Potato contest when he was a mere 13 years old, and shenanigans with his golfing buddies. Ray loved to crack jokes especially when it caught you off guard. Though he held strong opinions, he was a true friend who could agree to disagree and love you right on.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra B. Harrell; his daughters, Lee Ann (Glenn) Heard of Bainbridge, Susan (Doug) Smith of Peachtree Corners, and Vontae (Sam) Jones also of Bainbridge; his grandchildren, Becky & Tony Guagliardo, Julie & Ralph Jones, Peyton & Chad Clay, Robert & Megan Smith, Parker & Anna Grace Heard, Miller Smith, Abbie Jones, and Drew Smith; his great-grandchildren, Ella Guagliardo, Addison Jones, Eli Guagliardo, Cohen Jones, and McKay Smith; and a host of extended family. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Dale Miller Harrell; his son, Ted Harrell; and his siblings, Eloise Huff, Fred Harrell, Beulah Newsome, and Bill Harrell.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)