Mary Alice Ellis Harwell's Obituary
Mary Alice Ellis Harwell passed away peacefully at her home in Covington on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at the age of 85. For 62 years, she was the beloved wife of the late James Markle Harwell. She is survived by her loving children, Keith (Noel) Harwell and Licy (Spencer) Gagnet, her son-in-law, Steve Paar, daughter-in-law, Julia Harwell, cherished sister, Ann Florie, and niece, Larisa (Ricky) Perry and family. Her surviving grandchildren, Megan, Trevor, Olivia, Bryant, Ellen Claire, Wesley (Julianna), and Ann Alice and great-grandchildren, Sohn and Shia, adored her and affectionately called her "Mimi", a name adopted by all who met her later in life. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley Ellis and Mary Ellen Hinson, daughter, Cindy Paar, son, Mark Harwell, and brother-in-law, Bobby Florie.
Mimi was born January 21, 1937, in Flomaton, Alabama, growing up in a faith-filled, loving home. She graduated from Flomaton High School where she was named Beauty Queen. She eventually moved to Chalmette, Louisiana, where she lived for 44 years, later moving to Covington after Hurricane Katrina. Mimi retired from Sears after 32 years where she initially was a salesperson in the shoe department and later a credit consultant.
Throughout her life, Mimi was the epitome of grace, class and beauty. Her home was always immaculate and beautifully decorated, especially for the holidays. She had the loveliest gardens and was a fabulous cook. Mimi loved art, music, sports, traveling, curling up with a good book and binge-watching period dramas on her iPad. Of all her roles, she would likely say her dearest would be that of mother and grandmother as she showered love and devotion on her family each and every day. Mimi will be missed dearly by her family and the many friends she met throughout the years.
A special thanks to St. Catherine’s Hospice and her caregivers from Home Instead who so lovingly cared for her in her final days.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at St. Timothy, 335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, LA, on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM until service time. A private interment will be at a later date in her hometown of Flomaton.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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