Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at the Phillips Chapel CME Church, 718 Albert Street, Youngstown, 44506 for Mrs. Anna Laverne Harrell, 81, of Youngstown who was called home to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 31, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Harrell was born May 20, 1935 in Youngstown, a daughter of Robert L. and Jeanette Baltimore Blackburn.  She attended Youngstown City Schools and was a graduate of South High School.  She had been employed as a secretary with D & E Counseling Center for 19 ½ years and Personalized Services for 10 years.  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Phillips Chapel CME Church, where she served on the Usher Board and the finance committee for their Annual Women’s Day Services.  Anna was the one and only Treasurer/Secretary of the “Crème de la Crème” for over 50 years.  She was a member of the Red Hatters (String of Pearls) former treasurer for the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and  the National Notary Association.

Her hobbies and interest included traveling with her loving husband and family, reading, working crossword puzzles, shopping and taking bus excursions.

She leaves to cherish her beloved memories, her loving and devoted husband of 64 years, Bennie Harrell; her children, Cheryl L. Harrell of Columbus, LaVerne (Ronald) Bournes of Long Beach, CA, Larry (Natalie) Harrell of Decatur, GA, and Beniann (Miles) Moss of Arlington, TX; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; her sister, Linnea “Tippy”Charles of Culver City, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Besides her parents and grandparents, William and Ida Blackburn, she was preceded in death by her brothers, George Robert and William Blackburn; and sister, Charlene Ramos.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, and on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church