Elder Clifton Eloise Harrell – Metropolitan Funeral
Olivia Shea
Published Apr 19, 2026
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, Elder Clifton Eloise Harrell of Chesapeake, Virginia, entered eternal rest with our Lord and Savior. Elder Clifton Eloise Harrell was born on May 25, 1935, in Norfolk County, Virginia, now Chesapeake, to parents Willie C. Harrell Sr. and Bloundener Blount Harrell. He was the seventh of eight siblings who grew up in the South Hill area of the county. Elder Harrell attended South Hill and Providence Schools. He met the love of his life, Martha Simmons, in South Hill and married on July 21, 1957. This loving union lasted 65 years and had fifteen children: ten daughters and five sons.
Elder Harrell worked several jobs to support his family including Bag Printer, Merchant Seaman and joining Local 1458 Short Shoreman Union retiring in 1992 after 23 years of service. Elder Harrell was a gifted mechanic who passed the trade down to his sons and grandsons, was a businessman who owned several pieces of real estate and owned Harrell’s Demolition.
Elder Harrell accepted Christ at an early age and lead his family with strong Christian principles under the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He pastored Bread of Life COGIC in Chesapeake, VA. Elder Harrell spent the past 32 years as an Elder at Calvary Church of God in Christ, Norfolk, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Bloundia Harrell; daughter, Doris Yvonne Harrell; sisters, Doris Harrell and Earline Jefferson; brothers, Willie C. Harrell Jr., Cosby Harrell, Cleo Harrell, Linzell Harrell, and Hiawatha Harrell. Elder Harrell leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Assistant District Missionary Martha Harrell; brother, Preston Harrell of New York; 14 children all of Virginia, Clifton Harrell, Reginald Harrell (Lynette), Gwendolyn Spence (Glenn), Cheryl Harrell, Robert Harrell, Annette Toran (Donald, Sr.), Sharon White (Clifton, Sr.), Brenda Walden (Fred) Linda Anderson (Sherman), , Ronald Harrell, Wanda White (Jerome, Sr.), Dondra Harrell, Angela Price (Gilbert), and Keith Harrell; 31 grandchildren of whom two he raised Lisa Harrell Shellman and Antoine Harrell; 35 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
