Lee Irvin Horrell

Lee Horrell, age 84, of Paragould, went to be with the Lord March 11, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. Lee was a devoted Christian husband, daddy, and grandfather. He loved attending church and sharing his faith with others. He was a very loving, patient man who had a desire to see the good in all. He was a dedicated educator who touched the lives of many students. He loved fishing and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a member of New Haven Baptist Church. Born December 15, 1929, in Truman, AR, he moved with his parents at an early age to Hardy. He attended Hardy School District, graduating in 1948. After graduation, he volunteered to serve in the army, enlisting as a Private. He was promoted to Sargent prior to being stationed in Japan. While serving in Japan, he was deployed to Korea where he served as a medic and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for acts of heroism and meritorious service in a combat zone. He received a Battlefield Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant while serving in Korea for 13 months. Upon returning to the United States, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and became Company Commander of Company B, 17th Regiment, and 7th Infantry Division. This gave him the honor of being one of the youngest Company Commanders in the United States at the age of 23. In 1951 he married the love of his life, Clella Anne Lee of Clover Bend. They have been married for 62 years. Following his service in the Army, he graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Masters and Specialist Degree in Educational Administration. He taught and coached girls’ basketball in several school districts, and was high school principal at Williford School District, Sloan Hendrix School District, and Marmaduke School District. He retired in 1992 from Marmaduke with 34 years in education. He served as a deacon since 1962 and taught Sunday school classes at Hardy, Marmaduke, and Walnut Ridge. He became a Gideon while living at Walnut Ridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Edith Horrell, and great grandson, Jackson Cooper Danley. Surviving are his wife Clella of the home, a son, Scott Lee (Kim) Horrell of Little Rock; three daughters, Kimberlei Ann (Jimmy) Danley, Kelli Suzanne Harris of Paragould, and Kristi Kaye (Jody) Wiggins of Siloam Springs; eight grandchildren, MacKenzie and Caroline Horrell of Little Rock, Brad Horrell of Fayetteville, Cord Danley and Kendra (Tyler) Yeager of Paragould, Ethan (Kylie) Pugh of Little Rock, and Molli Pugh and Eli Wiggins of Siloam Springs; five great-grandchildren, Graycen, Karley and Karter Yeager, Avery Danley and Titus Pugh; a brother, Jack (Carolyn) Horrell of Highland; 2 sisters, Willie Ann (Linn) Garner of Glencoe and Mattie Sue Anderson of West Plains, MO., and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be at Heath Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday, March 13th. Services to celebrate his life will be held at New Haven Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14th with Brother Ron Pickney and Brother Kim Bridges officiating. Burial will follow in Clover Bend Cemetery under the direction of Heath Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Cord Danley, Brad Horrell, Ethan Pugh, Jimmy Danley, Jody Wiggins, and Tyler Yeager. Memorials may be made to: New Haven Baptist Church Building Fund, SIDS, or Alzheimer’s Association.