Etna Peeples Harrell

Etna Frances Peeples Harrell, 97, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at her residence in Spring, TX. She was born on February 5, 1924 in Lampasas, TX to William Lee and Annie Mae Hewitt Hesson.  Siblings: Mary Lou Brown, Ella Mae Patterson, & Joe Hesson.

When Frances was born in 1924, horse drawn wagons were still relevant for the family supply of milk, ice or produce delivery. She grew up during the Great Depression which impacted her outlook on life. To say that she was a great mother is an understatement.  It is certain she would say her family was her greatest life’s achievement.  Frances loved her family fiercely.  She was a loving Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Mother, Grandmother and Friend to many.
Frances grew up in Lampasas, TX. And later made a family home living in Arlington, TX for most of her years. She then lived out her last years in Spring, TX with her son Harold & Brenda Peeples and family.

Frances married Curtis John Peeples in 1946, they had a son, Harold Ray Peeples in 1947.  Frances suffered a tragic accidental loss of her husband in 1948. In 1957 Frances remarried Edgar Devault Harrell and had a son William Dean Harrell. Through this union, she gained three stepdaughters she lovingly raised as her own, Betty Harrell Mumme, Vivian Harrell McKnown and Sally Jo Harrell.

She enjoyed Sewing, Gospel music, Country music and the sounds of the Big Band Era, along with country home cooking for her family and friends alike.

She had many friends, all of which enjoyed her company, honored her, and celebrated her over the years as she deeply touched so many lives.  Frances faith in the Lord was unwavering and exuded from her so effortlessly.  She was her family’s spiritual leader and truly an example to follow.  Her perspective and advice were always precise and given in such a loving manner.  A behavior we could all strive to achieve daily.

Frances was the classic homemaker with a mind full of delicious recipes and always at the ready to feed her family and friends.  Some of her specialties and family favorites: Chicken & Dumplings, Pink Stuff, Sugar Cookies, Cornbread, Mashed Potatoes, and Banana Nut Bread.
• She worked for Sears Roebuck & Company where she worked for 19 years. She was also a licensed Beautician who enjoyed providing hair services for her many clients. Her talents in this field even brought an offer she had to decline, to go overseas with Shelton’s Ogle School of Cosmetology to learn the latest hair styling trends. She eventually left Shelton’s and began providing hair services from her home salon. Her friendly demeanor made her your perfect “Avon Lady Calling” which she enjoyed providing to her community over several years.

• She was involved in Lake Arlington Baptist Church from its inception together with its founding members and her service spanned until she relocated to Spring, TX later in life, around 2011.

• She continued her devotion by joining Spring Baptist Church where she maintained her connections with her church family until her passing.

Frances’ life spanned the popular history of communication:  Crank wall phones, shared party lines, rotary dial phones, princess phones, and eventually the mobile cell phone.  She even operated an iPhone until her passing.  Her eagerness to learn new things in her 90’s is a lesson to us all to never stop learning and living.  She was so very smart and intuitive.  Fearless in sharing her love, her faith, and knowledge.
Frances had a positive attitude and worked to be a better person each day.  Her family personally nominates her for Sainthood.  We will miss her beyond words.  She led a life well lived and she will live on in our hearts forever.  We are ever so grateful to have had her in our lives and so proud to have called her our Mom, Auntie, Grandma and Friend.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, William & Annie Mae Hesson, siblings, Mary Lou Brown, Ella Mae Patterson & Joe [wife Maxine] Hesson, stepdaughters, Betty [husband Jr] Mumme, Vivian [husband Dan] McKnown, and Sally Jo Harrell.  grandson Curtis Peeples, niece Betty [husband Robert] Gensler, Michelle Hesson, nephew Marlon, [wife Barbara] Patterson, great nephew Dwayne Gensler, Cousin Udall Thompson.

Frances is survived by sons Harold [wife Brenda] Peeples of Houston, TX, and Dean [wife Trisha] Harrell of Mansfield, TX.

Grandchildren: Johnny [wife Linda] Peeples, Taylor [wife Stephanie] Pepper, Diane [husband Russell] Meyer, Annette Billings [brother Justin Billings], and Leslie Harrell

Great-Grandchildren: Brian [wife Emily] Peeples, Michael Peeples, Kyle Peeples and Bodhi Alaina Pepper, Eric Meyer, Sarah [husband Steven] Hardt, Stephanie Moye

Great-Great Grandchildren: Annie and Hunter Hardt, Dustin, Caylee, and John Moye

Niece: Terri Stewart

Great Nieces: Cindy [husband Randy] Hayes, Misti Gensler, Lisa Patterson

Nephews: Tommy [wife Becky] Patterson, Kenneth Brown, Tony Hesson

Great-Nephews: Kent [wife Amy] Hathaway, Brett Patterson, Dale Patterson

Great-Grand Nieces: Madison Hayes, Lauren Hayes and Cambri Gensler, Leah [husband Marvin] Berlin

Cousins: Tollie [wife Linda] Bibb, Glenda Christner, Emma Ruth Thompson

Great Cousins: Linda [husband David] Dowell, Sharon [husband John] Sharpe, Jennifer [husband Chris] Leister, Joshua [wife Irin] Bibb, Carrie [husband Adam] Sherwood

Great-Grand Cousins: Christopher Dowell, Jason [wife Kim] Sharpe, Kailin Sharpe, Nichole Sharpe, Emma Leister, Rhett Leister, Henry Bibb, Miles Bibb, Will Sherwood, Dorothy Sherwood, Charlie Sherwood, Benjamin Sherwood

LIFE CELEBRATION EVENTS:
Our family welcomes you and request your respect for one another during our loved one’s services. The Funeral home and Church will require safe practices by all those in attendance with face mask covers & social distancing required by all.  We appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep us all healthy in these uncertain times.

Visitation & Viewing @ 9AM – 11AM, will be held at:
First Baptist Church, 309 Kenney St, Kennedale, TX

Memorial Service @ 11AM – 12N, will be held at:
First Baptist Church, 309 Kenney St, Kennedale, TX

Gravesite Services to immediately follow at:
Emerald Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd, Kennedale, TX

Donations in Lieu of Flowers
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Frances’ regularly supported charities at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Spring Baptist Church at the links provided below.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/pm.html

https://springbaptist.org/

Condolences may be left on Emerald Hills Funeral Home online guest book at:
https://www.emeraldhillsfuneralhome.com

Special Thanks
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Encompass Health & Hospice, Lake Arlington Baptist Church, Spring Baptist Church, Emerald Hills Funeral Home, & First Baptist Church of Kennedale. And her long-standing special friendships with Laura Eaton, Sandy Goodwin and Mary Castalena of Arlington, TX.

PSALMS 9:9-10
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
A strong hold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name trust in you,
For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.