Effie Mae Harrell

Effie Mae Harrell, 82, died with her family at her side on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born on Oct. 23, 1939, in Tamms, the daughter of Howard and Lena Cox Wallace. 

She graduated as salutatorian from Alexander County Central High School in 1957. 

She attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale for a period before moving to Memphis, Tenn., marrying, and having her first daughter, Kim Kang Adams.

She returned to Tamms in 1960, where she married Bill Harrell and had her second daughter, Amy. She worked as a bookkeeper for over 40 years in Cairo before returning to school in 1983. 

She obtained her bachelor and master of accounting degrees from SIU Carbondale and went on to have a 17-year career working in the bursar’s office at SIUC.

She loved music and animals. She devoted much of her time caring for the many dogs and cats she rescued over the years. She also had a special love for the city of New Orleans after visiting the 9th Ward during rebuilding after Katrina.

Survivors include her husband, Bill; daughter and son-in-law Kim and Raymond Kang; daughter Amy; granddaughters Chelsea and Rachel Kang; stepfather, James Greenley; one nephew, Greg Bennett; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Clifford and Betty Bennett; and one nephew, Howard Bennett.

According to her wishes, a celebration of life will be held by the family later this year. 

Memorials can be made to St. Francis Community Animal Rescue & Education (stfrancis-care.org) in Murphysboro.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.