Galia Harrell

Galia, a 94 year old devoted wife and mother, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, May 8, 2023 at home surrounded by loving family and friends.

Galia was born in Tift County on July 16, 1928 to Warren Jackson and Rosie Maybelle Jones. She was a graduate of the class of 1945 of Tifton High School. She was married to James C. Harrell on December 23, 1948. The couple was blessed with three loving children.

When Manhattan Shirt Co. opened in Ashburn, Galia began working as an inspector and retired when the plant closed. She met and made many lifelong friends while working there.

She was an excellent seamstress. From a very early age, she would draw patterns on newspapers to make dresses for herself, sisters, nieces, and later on, Arlene. She even made men’s lined sport coats for James, Wayne, and Jerry for church. She enjoyed baking cakes and cookies and made many elaborately decorated cakes for family birthdays and holidays. Her favorite cookie was making her “famous” decorated Christmas sugar cookies with the grandchildren. She loved being in the yard and working in her flowers. She also enjoyed helping James with the vegetable garden and putting up the fruits of their labor to share and to enjoy all through the year. She had a love of music from an early age and to the surprise of many, was a talented harmonica player. She treasured time spent with family, especially her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Grandmommie”.

Galia grew up in Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Chula and accepted Christ at an early age. She moved her membership to Bethel Baptist in Sycamore after she and James married. She loved both her churches and was a faithful member of the choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse of 38 years, her two sons, Wayne and Jerry Harrell, and her siblings, Lula Jones, P. V. Jones, Grady Jones, Mona Newbern, and Merlyn Hightower.

She is survived by her daughter Arlene (Johnnie) Nipper; grandchildren, Christy (Rod) Scharber, J.R. (Shana) Nipper, Luci Harrell, Sherry Nipper, Courtney (Keith) Garrett, Carie (Ben) Whiddon, Will Harrell, Cassie Harrell, 13 great grandchildren, and many other special family members.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P. M. Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church in Sycamore, Georgia. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2245 Bethel Road, Sycamore, GA 31790 or to a charity of your choice.