Dorothy Harrell

Dorothy Harrell

Dorothy Harrell, known lovingly as Dottie or Dot, was born on June 15, 1933 to Aaron and Alberta Rhodes in Brooklyn, New York.  She was one of seven children.

Dottie was raised to love and serve Jesus Christ.  She attended the Pentecostal House of Prayer where she was baptized and served as an usher.  She often spoke of how she and her mom would spend countless hours at church on Sunday and throughout the week.

She graduated from Sarah J Hale high school in 1951 and shortly after began working at the United Clock Company.  Her family moved from Williamsburg to Bedford-Stuyvesant where her family would become neighbors with the Harrell family.  While yet in the Army, Mrs. Harrell told her son, “I have chosen my future daughter-in-law.”

In June of 1965, Dottie married her handsome neighbor, Charles Harrell.  To this union, one daughter was born.

Dottie began working for Pfizer pharmaceuticals and absolutely loved her job and her coworkers. The Harrell family of three moved to Union, New Jersey in 1977 and Dottie remained a faithful employee of Pfizer for the next 25 years.  There she was often commended for her attendance and attention to quality.

Dot, had a love for clothes and fashion.  She would often brag of her designer finds at upscale consignment shops.  After retiring, she volunteered at a local thrift shop.

Dottie had the privilege  of traveling to the Bahamas a few times, an island where she and Charlie loved. She also spent her retirement enjoying her family and spoiling her two granddaughters.  She enjoyed shopping for them almost as much as they loved receiving the gifts she would buy. They affectionately called her “mom.”

Dot became ill during the last four years of her life but she maintained her sense of humor, her love for her family and most importantly her love for God.  Her husband, Charlie, dedicated himself to her care and making sure she was comfortable.  She cherished him for that and expressed her love for him even days before dying.

Dorothy Harrell is survived by her husband of 55 years, Charles; her only child, Rhonda; son-in-law, Keith; Granddaughters, Courtney and Sydni Scott; her brother David Rhodes; Sisters-in-law, Betty Rhodes, Marjorie Rhodes, Rosa Cox and Mattie McNair and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Dottie at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm. A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the funeral home at 1 pm, with burial to follow at Graceland Memorial Park.

*A live stream will be held on Zoom for the 1PM Service on November 19th, 2020. To join, go to www.zoom.com and enter the following information. Meeting ID: 997 533 3817  and Password: 2800