OAK ISLAND — Morris Lee Harwell, 79, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at his home. He was the son of the late W.V. and Eva Pauline Harwell of Charlotte.
Mr. Harwell was born Sept. 12, 1937. He was a member of Community Church and a longtime volunteer for WAVES4KIDS.
His varied professional career included metal fabrication; sales and marketing; singing professional gospel music; and driving and building race cars in the early days of NASCAR. He was a home builder and former realtor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, W.V Harwell II, Charles M. Harwell and Jimmy O. Harwell; and stepson, Forrest Vaughn.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jean Bass Harwell; son, Monte Harwell (Daina) of Midland; daughter, Kelly Harwell of Southport; two grandchildren, David Harwell and Jenny (Nathanial) Tice; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and Eli Sprinkle of Midland, N.C.; brother, Robert Harwell of Richmond, Va.; sister, Joyce Hensley of Columbus, Ind.; two sisters-in-law, Joann Harwell of Lake Norman and Ruth Harwell of Dothan Alabama; stepson, Joseph Vaughn IV of Oak Island; and 12 nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at Community Church, 4831 Long Beach Road, Southport, with the Rev. Allen Taylor officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church. Honorary pallbearers include Dick Behling, Bob Allen, David Berne, Steve Black, Jimmy Bollin, Tim Ehling, David Lilley, Bug Jones and Jim Sullivan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the General Service Office of AA, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Oak Island Southport Interchurch Food Pantry, WAVES4KIDS, the Salvation Army, Community Church or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.