Dr. Allen L. Harrell of Charleston, entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 12, 2015. The relatives and friends of Dr. and Mrs. Allen L. Harrell are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. this Tuesday between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The Rosary will be recited at7:00 PM. Allen Lamar Harrell was born June 14, 1926 in Darlington, SC. He was the son of the late Frank J. Harrell and Lorean Johnson Harrell. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Bolchoz. He met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth, during his first year in medical school. The two married following his internship at City Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Harrell was a graduate of the Citadel – Class of 1949 – following his service in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1950, he was awarded a teaching fellow at MUSC while studying for a master’s degree in bacteriology. In 1952, he entered MUSC as a medical student and graduated with an MD degree – Class of 1956. He served his internship at St. Louis City Hospital from 1956 – 1957 and then served as a medical resident from 1957 – 1958 at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, Florida. He joined the medical staff at Davis Hospital in Statesville, N.C. as a family practicing physician in 1958 where he remained until he accepted a pediatric residency at MUSC in 1961. After completing his pediatric residency he returned to Davis Hospital and established the Department of Pediatrics. In 1965, he returned to Charleston and opened his office on James Island for the practice of pediatrics. After thirty-one years, being the first pediatrician on the Island, he retired (1996). His friend, the late Dr. Jim Ward, prevailed upon Dr. Harrell to join him and three other physicians at the College of Charleston as a part-time student health physician, a position he loved until his full retirement in 2005. Dr. Harrell was a member of the Charleston County Medical Association, the South Carolina Pediatric Society and the American Medical Association. He was a long-time member of the West Charleston Exchange Club. He served two terms as its president and was elected twice as Man of The Year. While active in the practice of pediatrics, he served as Chairman of The Department of Pediatrics at Roper Hospital for four years. Dr. Harrell’s greatest enjoyment next to his family life and the love of his patients, was his life centered around Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where he served as Chairman of The Pastoral Council and was a long-time member of The Perpetual Adoration Society. He also served as President of The Home and School Association and various other social committees. He was a long-time member of The Traditional Adult Choir. He was an avid gardener as well as an avid reader. After full retirement, his life-long interest in writing resurfaced. He has published three novels, the first of which was published under his pen name. His other two novels – “JASON’S JOURNEY” (non-fictional) and “NINA” (a novel with local color) were published under his own name. He continued to garden and write up until his death. Dr. Harrell was preceded in death by his son, Allen L. Harrell, Jr. of Spartanburg, SC; his grandson, Joshua Manning Carter of Huntersville, NC; his older brother, Edward L. Harrell, who was killed in action during WWII; his younger brother, Frank J. Harrell, Jr. of El Cajon, CA; his sister, Ethel H. Ferguson of Abilene, TX. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Elizabeth Bolchoz; five daughters: Mary Allyson (A. Daniel) Moring of Charleston, Erin Elizabeth (James H.) Carter, Jr. of Charleston, Julianne (Dr. George H.) Khoury of Mount Pleasant, Anne Lorean (Lori) Barabas of Charleston and Kathryn Anne (Frank S.) Dabney of Charleston. He, affectionately known as “Papa,” is also survived by his 16 grandchildren: Matthew Allen Harrell and Christopher Lamar Harrell of Spartanburg, Christina H. Sutherland of Denver, NC; Lizz Moring Anacker of Ellicott City, MD; Robert Daniel Moring and Jonathan Tucker Moring of Charleston; James Henry Carter, III and Rachael Allyson Carter of Charleston; George Hasham Khoury, Jr., Andrew Paul Khoury, and Zachary Allen Khoury of Mount Pleasant; Clinton Harrell Barabas and Margaret Elizabeth Barabas of Charleston, Frank Scott Dabney II, Benjamin Allen Dabney and Anna Virginia Dabney of Charleston as well as 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters: Bevia H. Denning of Atlanta and Della H. Wiggins of Spartanburg. The Harrell family extends grateful appreciation for the excellent long-term care and friendship by his team of doctors: Dr. George Geils Jr., Dr. Patrick J. O’Neil, Dr. Terry Day, Dr. Kevin Smith, Dr. William Toby Dawson, Dr. Richard “Duke” Hagerty, and son-in-law, Dr. George Khoury. Appreciation is also extended to the numerous nurses who cared for Dr. Harrell throughout his long illness and to the nurses at Amedisys Hospice Care who made his final days bearable. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: The Blessed Sacrament Building Fund, 5 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 or The Right Reverend Monsignor John L. Manning Scholarship Fund c/o Bishop England High School, 363 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492. Arrangements by JAMES A. McALISTER, (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
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