Nathaniel "Mr. Pillar" Jarrells

Obituary For Nathaniel "Mr. Pillar" Jarrells

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

VIEWING: Friday, October 22, 2021 5:00 p.m. Mt Calvary First Baptist, 180 SW10th Ave Street, South Bay, FL 33493

SERVICE: Saturday, October 23, 2021 11:00 a.m. St John First Baptist Church, 600 SW 8th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430

INTERNMENT: Saturday, October 23, 2021 Harlem Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 2550 11th Street, Clewiston, FL 33440

Our Patriarch’s Life Story

Mr. Nathaniel Jarrells was born June 3, 1936, to the late Mr. Harvey and Mrs. Mary Bussey Jarrells in Springvale, Georgia. His education was received from the Quitman County School System. As a child, he never wanted to wear short pants or t- shirts and always wanted to wear pillows when he slept, gaining the nickname of “Pillow” He was a hard worker, who bought his first driver’s license and his first car at the age of 15! His spiritual journey began early in life, siting under the guidance of the late Rev. O.B. Brinson at the Green Grove Baptist Church. He accepted Christ and was baptized.

During his teenage years, he met the love of his life, Mary Lee Rice, in Georgetown, Georgia. On September 5, 1953, at the age of 17, they were united in holy matrimony and 10 children were born to this union. He was serious about marriage and would often say “I didn’t marry just to be married.” And “I don’t have a sawmill license.” His dedication was evident in a marriage that lasted 66 years, ending when the Lord called his soulmate, Mary Lee Jarrells home. He moved his family to Clewiston, Florida before settling and making his home South Bay, Florida in 1959, moving from Pigeon Quarters to their current home. He joined Mt. Calvary First Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Edwin Coffie and Roosevelt Cooper and current Pastor, Rev. Lawrence Epps. He was a faithful member until his health declined. During a conversation with his oldest child, Geraldine, he said, “Daughter, everything gone be alright. Me and the Good Master had a talk!” This is when he gave his life to Christ!

His main focus was taking care of his family, and that’s what he did. He gained employment with Henderson Concrete Products as a laborer and became the best heavy equipment operator around. He received better job offers but was dedicated to the one who first hired him when he came from Georgia. He would often say “It took me 26 years, 6 months, 3 hours and 5 minutes to get the hell away from there!” On October 12, 2021 at 10:15 AM, God saw fit to call his son home and he peacefully transitioned into the hands of the father!

Nathaniel is survived by his children: Geraldine (Mark) Massey, Nathaniel (Antoinette McKyer) Jarrell Jr., Mary Jo (Brensley) Murdock, Johnny (Cynthia) Jarrell, Nelson (Doris) Jarrells, Janice Jarrell, Theresa Evans, Carolyn (Corey) Foster, Christina D. Jarrell (Deceased) and Marlon (Justice) Jarrell, Sr.; 26 Grandchildren including Elder Henry (Tonja) Mosley, Jr. and Jeffrey (Latisha) Mosley, Sr. who are reared as his own Micheal Dunning, Sr., Rev. Johnny Dunning, Jr., Alesha Blackman-Dunning, Nayquanna Jarrell, Rashad Jarrell, Na’Shannon (Mark, Sr.) Walden, Janard Thomas, Kenard Jarrell, Chrissy (Shawn) Cunningham, Jacquisa (Richard III) Jarrell-Dunbar, Johnny (Tamara) Goss, Wesleigh Jarrell, Marquise Jarrells, Letisha (Antavius, sr.) Williams, Brian Poole, Sr., Eddie Poole, Jr., Telvis Gainous, DaTreese Evans, James (Tanisha) Leach, Marlon Jarrell, Jr., Gregory Douglas, Jr., Amariyon Jarrell, Jahonna Jarrell and Yasmin Jarrell; 45 Great Grandchildren, including his caregiver Davonte Johnson, whom he affectionately called “TJ” or “T-Boy”; 1 Great, Great-Grandchild; Adopted Daughters: Iletha Freeman and TaRhonda Lay; Siblings: Leila Mae Loyd, Mary (Johnny) Burr, Lee Ethel Manning, Joe (Mae Louis) Jarrell and Ennis Jarrell; In-Laws: John Banks, LC Rice, Shelby Rice, Lawrence Rice, Jr., Betty Henley and Robbie Paige; In-Laws and Siblings preceding him in Death: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence (Georgia) Rice, Margaret (Freddie) Roberson, Pearlie Mae (Marion) Fulton, Dollie Banks, Samuel (Clara) Jarrell, Harvey Jarrell, Jr., Harvie Jarrell, Jr., Rayford Manning, Walter Loyd, Lillie Mae Calloway, Ella Lucille (John) Daniels, Nina Cameron, David Rice, Willie James Rice, Russell Rice and Lillie Bell Rice; Two Special Cousins: Lula Mae “Sue” Mixon and Franklin R. Jones; Several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives friends and neighbors.