Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Born on November 26, 1929, she was a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina where her parents, Nelson Cornelius Nix and Athelma Rogers Nix, were faculty members at South Carolina State College (University). Her father, in whose honor Nix Hall is named, also served as dean and historian of the institution. Additionally, Dean Nix was a pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Following graduation from Wilkerson High School, Charity matriculated at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Although her husband-to-be, Adam Harrell, was a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro at that time, their paths did not cross.
Shortly thereafter in 1953, Charity did meet the love of her life, Adam, in Columbia, South Carolina, at Fort Jackson, while he was stationed there for active duty training as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Charity’s teaching and music career began in the Columbia school system as a high school music teacher. After Charity said “I do” in 1954, Adam’s military service led them to Linz, Austria and other parts of Europe before a post in Fort Riley, Kansas. With music always at the forefront of her life, she conducted a boys’ choir in Austria.
Music continued to be an integral part of Charity’s life as evidenced by her infusion of music in her first-grade classrooms at Gatewood Elementary and Crossroads Elementary, both in Norfolk, until her retirement in 1993, with 33 years of dedicated service. As a member of St. John’s A.M.E. Church, she was a devoted choir member, pianist, organist, director of the Youth Choir, and Minister of Music. These endeavors brought Charity much joy and were part of the fulfilment of God’s mission for her life.
Charity’s family often referred to her as a “politico,” which was not far-fetched, as she was the younger sister of U.S. Representative Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. of Philadelphia and the aunt of Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., the nation’s first African-American state Supreme Court Chief Justice in Pennsylvania. Charity kept abreast of news and politics at both the local and national levels.
Charity was especially pleased and humbled to be honored, along with her husband, as Grandparents of the Year in 2014 at The Historic First Baptist Church. After joining First Baptist Church in 2000, she served as a member of the Chancel Choir, chairwoman of the Georgia Jefferson Missionary Circle, member of Seniors-in-Action, and volunteer for the Ready Academy.
Charity was also a member of the Norfolk Chapter of Delicados, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell was unapologetic about her strong faith in Jesus Christ which became the cornerstone for her entire family. Cherishing her memory are: her devoted husband of 65 years, Adam Harrell, Sr.; two sons, Adam Harrell, Jr., Esq. (Carla) of Richmond, Virginia, William E. Harrell (Dr. Johnna) of Chesapeake, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brooke Harrell Berry (James) of South Riding, Virginia, Alextra Danielle Exton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Adam Spurlock Nix Harrell of Richmond, Virginia, and Charity Majette Harrell of Brooklyn, New York; one great-grandchild Carter James Berry; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Following graduation from Wilkerson High School, Charity matriculated at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Although her husband-to-be, Adam Harrell, was a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro at that time, their paths did not cross.
Shortly thereafter in 1953, Charity did meet the love of her life, Adam, in Columbia, South Carolina, at Fort Jackson, while he was stationed there for active duty training as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Charity’s teaching and music career began in the Columbia school system as a high school music teacher. After Charity said “I do” in 1954, Adam’s military service led them to Linz, Austria and other parts of Europe before a post in Fort Riley, Kansas. With music always at the forefront of her life, she conducted a boys’ choir in Austria.
Music continued to be an integral part of Charity’s life as evidenced by her infusion of music in her first-grade classrooms at Gatewood Elementary and Crossroads Elementary, both in Norfolk, until her retirement in 1993, with 33 years of dedicated service. As a member of St. John’s A.M.E. Church, she was a devoted choir member, pianist, organist, director of the Youth Choir, and Minister of Music. These endeavors brought Charity much joy and were part of the fulfilment of God’s mission for her life.
Charity’s family often referred to her as a “politico,” which was not far-fetched, as she was the younger sister of U.S. Representative Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. of Philadelphia and the aunt of Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., the nation’s first African-American state Supreme Court Chief Justice in Pennsylvania. Charity kept abreast of news and politics at both the local and national levels.
Charity was especially pleased and humbled to be honored, along with her husband, as Grandparents of the Year in 2014 at The Historic First Baptist Church. After joining First Baptist Church in 2000, she served as a member of the Chancel Choir, chairwoman of the Georgia Jefferson Missionary Circle, member of Seniors-in-Action, and volunteer for the Ready Academy.
Charity was also a member of the Norfolk Chapter of Delicados, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell was unapologetic about her strong faith in Jesus Christ which became the cornerstone for her entire family. Cherishing her memory are: her devoted husband of 65 years, Adam Harrell, Sr.; two sons, Adam Harrell, Jr., Esq. (Carla) of Richmond, Virginia, William E. Harrell (Dr. Johnna) of Chesapeake, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brooke Harrell Berry (James) of South Riding, Virginia, Alextra Danielle Exton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Adam Spurlock Nix Harrell of Richmond, Virginia, and Charity Majette Harrell of Brooklyn, New York; one great-grandchild Carter James Berry; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Born on November 26, 1929, she was a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina where her parents, Nelson Cornelius Nix and Athelma Rogers Nix, were faculty members at South Carolina State College (University). Her father, in whose honor Nix Hall is named, also served as dean and historian of the institution. Additionally, Dean Nix was a pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Following graduation from Wilkerson High School, Charity matriculated at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Although her husband-to-be, Adam Harrell, was a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro at that time, their paths did not cross.
Shortly thereafter in 1953, Charity did meet the love of her life, Adam, in Columbia, South Carolina, at Fort Jackson, while he was stationed there for active duty training as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Charity’s teaching and music career began in the Columbia school system as a high school music teacher. After Charity said “I do” in 1954, Adam’s military service led them to Linz, Austria and other parts of Europe before a post in Fort Riley, Kansas. With music always at the forefront of her life, she conducted a boys’ choir in Austria.
Music continued to be an integral part of Charity’s life as evidenced by her infusion of music in her first-grade classrooms at Gatewood Elementary and Crossroads Elementary, both in Norfolk, until her retirement in 1993, with 33 years of dedicated service. As a member of St. John’s A.M.E. Church, she was a devoted choir member, pianist, organist, director of the Youth Choir, and Minister of Music. These endeavors brought Charity much joy and were part of the fulfilment of God’s mission for her life.
Charity’s family often referred to her as a “politico,” which was not far-fetched, as she was the younger sister of U.S. Representative Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. of Philadelphia and the aunt of Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., the nation’s first African-American state Supreme Court Chief Justice in Pennsylvania. Charity kept abreast of news and politics at both the local and national levels.
Charity was especially pleased and humbled to be honored, along with her husband, as Grandparents of the Year in 2014 at The Historic First Baptist Church. After joining First Baptist Church in 2000, she served as a member of the Chancel Choir, chairwoman of the Georgia Jefferson Missionary Circle, member of Seniors-in-Action, and volunteer for the Ready Academy.
Charity was also a member of the Norfolk Chapter of Delicados, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell was unapologetic about her strong faith in Jesus Christ which became the cornerstone for her entire family. Cherishing her memory are: her devoted husband of 65 years, Adam Harrell, Sr.; two sons, Adam Harrell, Jr., Esq. (Carla) of Richmond, Virginia, William E. Harrell (Dr. Johnna) of Chesapeake, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brooke Harrell Berry (James) of South Riding, Virginia, Alextra Danielle Exton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Adam Spurlock Nix Harrell of Richmond, Virginia, and Charity Majette Harrell of Brooklyn, New York; one great-grandchild Carter James Berry; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Following graduation from Wilkerson High School, Charity matriculated at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Although her husband-to-be, Adam Harrell, was a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro at that time, their paths did not cross.
Shortly thereafter in 1953, Charity did meet the love of her life, Adam, in Columbia, South Carolina, at Fort Jackson, while he was stationed there for active duty training as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Charity’s teaching and music career began in the Columbia school system as a high school music teacher. After Charity said “I do” in 1954, Adam’s military service led them to Linz, Austria and other parts of Europe before a post in Fort Riley, Kansas. With music always at the forefront of her life, she conducted a boys’ choir in Austria.
Music continued to be an integral part of Charity’s life as evidenced by her infusion of music in her first-grade classrooms at Gatewood Elementary and Crossroads Elementary, both in Norfolk, until her retirement in 1993, with 33 years of dedicated service. As a member of St. John’s A.M.E. Church, she was a devoted choir member, pianist, organist, director of the Youth Choir, and Minister of Music. These endeavors brought Charity much joy and were part of the fulfilment of God’s mission for her life.
Charity’s family often referred to her as a “politico,” which was not far-fetched, as she was the younger sister of U.S. Representative Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. of Philadelphia and the aunt of Robert N.C. Nix, Jr., the nation’s first African-American state Supreme Court Chief Justice in Pennsylvania. Charity kept abreast of news and politics at both the local and national levels.
Charity was especially pleased and humbled to be honored, along with her husband, as Grandparents of the Year in 2014 at The Historic First Baptist Church. After joining First Baptist Church in 2000, she served as a member of the Chancel Choir, chairwoman of the Georgia Jefferson Missionary Circle, member of Seniors-in-Action, and volunteer for the Ready Academy.
Charity was also a member of the Norfolk Chapter of Delicados, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Charity Evangeline Nix Harrell was unapologetic about her strong faith in Jesus Christ which became the cornerstone for her entire family. Cherishing her memory are: her devoted husband of 65 years, Adam Harrell, Sr.; two sons, Adam Harrell, Jr., Esq. (Carla) of Richmond, Virginia, William E. Harrell (Dr. Johnna) of Chesapeake, Virginia; four grandchildren, Brooke Harrell Berry (James) of South Riding, Virginia, Alextra Danielle Exton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Adam Spurlock Nix Harrell of Richmond, Virginia, and Charity Majette Harrell of Brooklyn, New York; one great-grandchild Carter James Berry; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
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