Franklin – Melba Harrell Drake Nowell, 77, passed away May 16, 2007. Born in Tarboro, NC, she was a daughter of the late Wilbur and Oma Piland Harrell and was a member of Hunterdale Baptist Church.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Wilbur L. Nowell of Franklin; one daughter, Cynthia D. Mitchell of Eure, NC; two sons, James R. Drake and wife, Betty Jo, of Suffolk and Charles E. Drake and wife, Sharon, of Smithfield; a step-daughter, Joan Grizzard and husband, Charles, of Biloxie, MS; a step-son, Ray Nowell of Orlando, FL; one sister, Addie Belle Raley and husband, Dewey, of Maynardsville, TN; one brother, Clifton Harrell of Richmond; 14 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Nowell was predeceased by her first husband, James R. Drake; one sister, Vivian Nowell and two brothers, Joe and Coy Harrell.
A funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 2 pm at Hunterdale Baptist Church with the Rev. Howard Vinson, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery, Newsoms. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8:30 pm at Wright Funeral Home and suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hunterdale Baptist Church Building Fund, 23099 Sedley Road, Franklin. VA. 23851.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.