Barbara Jean Harwell

Barbara Jean Harwell Abebe was born February 28, 1958 to William Thomas Harwell, Sr. and Annie Pearl Harwell in Columbia, Tennessee and gained her wings on March 14, 2020.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. A visitation will also be held on Saturday from 2:00 – 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Barbara accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Fairview PB Church under the leadership of Reverend Allen Dawson in Columbia, Tennessee where she served as a faithful member who truly loved the Lord.

She graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1977 and received degrees from both Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee and Draughons College in Nashville, Tennessee.

Barbara met many faithful friends and loved ones while working at The Urban League, Fisk University, MCI, Sprint, GT Telecommunications, and for the last twenty-three years, Verizon Wireless. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Barbara was a skilled photographer and enjoyed writing.

God blessed Barbara with the man of her dreams who became her husband, friend, and confidant, the late Esayase Abebe. In this union, she became the stepmom to Ms. Mekedlawit Esayase. Survivors she cherished and adored are her mother, Mrs. Annie Pearl Harwell of Columbia, TN; brothers, MSGT Willian Tee (Sue) Harwell of San Antonio, TX, Chief Reginald Warren (Chief Stephanie) Harwelll of Fallon, IL, and Deconsalon Montell Polk of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Delores (James) Taylor of Nashville, TN and Lorelei Von Harwell Dumes of San Antonio, TX; nephews, SMSGT Christopher (Priscilla) Harwell of San Antonio, TX, Junell M. (Tania) Dumes of San Antonio, TX, Austin (Janice) Harwell of Austin, TX; nieces: Adrienne (Aubrey) Gaud of San Antonio, TX, LaMaka (Tytiana) Dumes of San Antonio, TX, and Candice Harwell of Rock Away, NY.