Terrell A. Harrell

TERRELL ANDREW HARRELL was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on August 17, 1982. He was the oldest of two children born to Tina A. Harrell and the late Reginald A. Harrell. He finished his earthly journey and gained his heavenly wings on May 22, 2023, at Didlake Military Vehicle Processing Center located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Terrell's childhood rearing occurred in the well-known Portsmouth neighborhood of Cavalier Manor. Affectionally known to many by various nicknames it is fair to say that his most famous nicknames were "Big Rell" and " Tata Chip". The story of the infamous "Tata Chip" nickname came into existence while he was in the 8th grade at William E. Waters Middle School but was trying out for the Junior Varsity team for I.C. Norcom High School. While conducting hit drills, Terrell took a hit which resulted in his football helmet flying off his head. It was discovered at that time that he had a bag of potato chips underneath his helmet. Per this storyteller, Terrell didn't want to walk back to the snack area when it was time to do so. However, others have claimed that Terrell loved potato chips and every time you saw him, he had a bag of potato chips! Terrell was educated in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia Public School System. He graduated from I.C. Norcom High School where he took pride in being a greyhound. There, he found his love for music; specifically, the bass line, and chose the tuba as his musical instrument. While there Terrell achieved many All-District Band achievements that included but were not limited to 1st and 2nd chair placement. After graduating from I.C. Norcom in 2001, Terrell matriculated at Shaw University located in Raleigh, North Carolina. There Terrell continued his love of music by helping others perfect their craft by helping them better develop their musical skills and abilities, being a band section leader, and taking on a leadership role in rebirthing Shaw's musical program in 2002 under the staff leadership of Director Charles V. Brown. Terrell was beloved so much by the staff at Shaw University that he received the special privilege of having his own key to the band room. Terrell graduated from Shaw University in 2008 with two bachelor's degrees: Accounting and Public Administration. Terrell was set to begin his master's degree program at George Washington University in the field of Cybersecurity this fall. In 2009 Terrell began working as a contractor with the Virginia Department of Corrections at Indian Creek Correctional Center located in Chesapeake, Virginia. He held the position of a program counselor with Community Education Centers. He first worked in the Orientation dorm where he provided help to inmates struggling with substance abuse issues to become acclimated to addressing criminal thinking and negative behaviors through a therapeutic process. Due to contractual changes in program providers in 2012, Terrell began to work for Spectrum Health Systems Inc. Terrell's work ethic eventually led him to work in various buildings within the Indian Creek Correctional Center compound that included but was not limited to the Re-Entry dorm where he assisted inmates that had ninety (90) days or less left on their prison sentences to become equipped with the proper resources to make a safe and positive adjustment back into the community. It was at this work location that Terrell met his wife Elizabeth, and they were married on September 26, 2011. Terrell remained employed with Spectrum Health Systems Inc. until November 2017 when his health made him no longer suitable for the position. In January 2023, Terrell became employed by his father's previous employer Didlake Military Vehicle Processing Center as a security guard. He remained employed there until his death. In 2011, after hearing his father-in-love preach Terrell gave his life to the Lord and joined Woodland Ave. Baptist Church located in Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Marcus T. Jennings Sr. He was later baptized that same year. Throughout the up and downs of his health battles, Terrell was an active member of the male chorus, bible study (pre-COVID), vacation bible school, a participant in church plays, etc., until his health caused him to have to slow down on his involvement. He remained a member of Woodland Ave. Baptist Church until his death. As evidenced by the love presented here today and on social media, we can truly see that "Friendship is Essential to the Soul" for Terrell. On November 30, 2013, he was initiated into the Zeta Iota Chapter of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated! During that process, he was able to forge a bond with twenty (20) men better known by their line name Sum of Madness that fostered a brotherhood through Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. Terrell was happy to be #10 in the line of twenty (20), be his brother's front door, and share a line name with his brother called “Shake and Bake"; which they adopted from the 2006 highly popular movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Terrell played an integral part in making sure that his line brothers were well-prepared in knowing their poems, songs, lines, etc. Terrell enjoyed various genres of music, listening to the water, cooking, taking ride-a-longs, playing his bass guitar, playing video games, being a jokester, picking with his dog Rallo Harrell, watching sports, playing sudoku, attending family events and so much more. Terrell is proceeded in death by his father Reginald A. Harrell, and his grandparents: John A. Harrell, Juanita Harrell, and Virginia Mitchell. Although gone Terrell will NEVER be forgotten and he leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Elizabeth Harrell; his mother Tina Harrell; a father and mother-in-love Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Dianne Robinson; one brother Cornelius Harrell; one sister-in-love: Adriane Robinson; two brother-in-love: Robert Robinson (Candiss) and Christopher Robinson; three nieces: Kayvon Robinson, Keairra Robinson, and Harmony Harrell; two nephews: T. Zyon Robinson and Jasiah Robinson; three uncles: Alan Harrell, Brett Harrell, Jay Mitchell; and a host of other devoted family and friends. Terrell will be best remembered for his cool and calm nature, his simplicity, his friendly and warm demeanor, his big and bright smile, his contagious laugh, a dedicated and devoted San Francisco 49er and Miami Heat fan, a member of the Da Bruhs (Ques), but most importantly his beautiful spirit. He will be missed and forever loved dearly!

Terrell A. Harrell

August 17, 1982 - May 22, 2023