HARRELL, DOROTHY ELIZABETH GLEDHILL (1918~2004) Dorothy Elizabeth Gledhill Harrell, wife of Mason Douglas Harrell, state representative, was born on June 15, 1918, in Grand Junction, Colorado to Nephi Gledhill and Anna Margaret Larson. The middle, and only girl, of five children, she graduated from Twin Falls High School, in Twin Falls, Idaho, where she proved to be very talented in music, in both singing and directing. After meeting Mason Harrell, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, the two were married on February 14, 1942, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple in Dallas.
Beginning their lives together during World War II, most likely proved difficult for Dorothy, but, as an officer's wife, she happily made a home wherever her husband happened to have been stationed. Following the end of World War II, Mason was sent to the Philippine Islands. Dorothy followed and was highlighted in a magazine article that was documenting the experiences of a young Air Force wife living in the Philippines.
Throughout his 27-year military career, Mason, who attained the rank of colonel, moved his family numerous times. They lived all over the United States and the world, including California, Washington D. C., Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Japan, Nebraska, the Azores Islands, and Illinois. After his retirement in 1968, they returned to Texas and settled in Austin, but moved to Sandy, Utah in 1996, to be closer to their children.
Embracing her role as an officer's wife, Dorothy became involved in many volunteer organizations, including the Air Force Base Wives' Clubs, of which she was president. She also volunteered as medical assistant. Active in her faith, Dorothy led a life of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she worked as a teacher, music and choir director, and as president of the Ward and Stake Relief Society.
Following an extended illness, Dorothy passed away on January 21, 2004, in Sandy, Utah and was buried next to her husband and son, Albert Boyce Harrell, in the Texas State Cemetery three days later. She is survived by three children, Marjo Harrell Burdette, Harris Gledhill Harrell, and Mason Douglas Harrell, Jr., 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Information taken from: materials provided by Dorothy Harrell and obituary, Austin American-Statesman, January 22, 2004. |
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