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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE DEATH OF CHARLESTON BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADER AND FORMER STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER ROBERT WILLIAM HARRELL, SR., ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2010, AND TO CONVEY THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, remembering his outstanding achievements in business and committed service to the people of South Carolina, the members of the House of Representatives were deeply saddened by news of the passing of business and civic leader and former State Highway Commissioner Robert William Harrell, Sr., of Charleston on September 3, 2010, at the age of seventy-five; and
Whereas, born June 28, 1935, Bob Harrell was orphaned at birth and grew up in Rockingham, North Carolina, raised by his maternal grandparents, Walter and Myrtle Wright; and
Whereas, after turning down a college music scholarship, he began his business career selling at Phillips Shoes, where he met the love of his life, Charlotte Marie Davis. They were married in 1955; and
Whereas, having started with nothing but his will and determination, Bob Harrell excelled in business and built a successful and multifaceted career. Following a six-year assignment with Southern Bell, he opened a State Farm Insurance Agency in 1963. A few years later, he began a development career building houses and commercial properties throughout the Charleston area. He and Charlotte opened Charlotte Harrell's Shop gift stores in 1970 and built a successful pecan and candies business, Harrell Farms, in his later years; and
Whereas, his interest in public service began when he was a young man serving with the Jaycees, and it continued throughout his life. He served three terms as the highway commissioner from the First Congressional District, beginning in 2000. In February 2004, he was elected to represent the First Congressional District as first vice chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission. In addition, he served from 1990 to 1994 as a member of the Highways and Public Transportation Commission, representing Berkeley and Charleston Counties; and
Whereas, instrumental in the construction of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr., Bridge, he was particularly proud to see the completion of the Cooper River Bridge replacement during his time in office; and
Whereas, in recognition of his leadership in transportation matters, especially in the development of I-526, the Department of Transportation named the I-526 bridge and interchange that span U.S. Highway 17 and U.S. Highway 7 in Charleston County in his honor; and
Whereas, Bob Harrell had a deep and abiding faith in God, a faith that was clear to those who knew him, and that faith sustained him throughout his days. He was a longtime member of Northbridge Baptist Church in Charleston, where he served as deacon and Sunday School superintendent; and
Whereas, all his life, his first priority was family. He made sure they knew they were loved and took great pride in their accomplishments. Together, Bob Harrell and his beloved Charlotte raised three children, Robert, Jr., Lea, and John, who blessed their parents with eight grandchildren; and
Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Charlotte; son Robert W. Harrell, Jr., of Charleston, Speaker of the House of Representatives and our dear friend and colleague; son John Davis Harrell of James Island; daughter Lea Harrell Kirkland of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; grandchildren Trey, Charlotte, Maggie, Ellen, Mitch, Jessica, Davis, and Elizabeth; and a host of other family members, friends, and colleagues; and
Whereas, a true American success story through faith, family, public service, and business, Bob Harrell long will be remembered and honored as an example of what hard work and genuine dedication to the welfare of others can accomplish. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Charleston business and civic leader and former State Highway Commissioner Robert William Harrell, Sr., on September 3, 2010, and convey the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mrs. Charlotte Davis Harrell for the family.
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