Joe L. Harwell

Joe L. Harwell died peacefully on Thursday, November 4, 2021, in Houston, TX at the age of 87.

Mr. Harwell is survived by his wife of 62 years- Roxie Harwell of Nashville, TN, son Michael and wife Darlene of Houston, TX, sister Dorothy White of Guntersville, AL. and two grandsons- Connor and Ryan. He is preceded in death by his brother Kenneth Harwell of Overland Park, KS.

Mr. Harwell was born on March 27, 1934, in Lewisburg, TN to William Kenneth and Virginia Haber Harwell. A graduate of College Grove High School, he served three years in the Army as a Specialist Third Class. In 1956, Mr. Harwell joined Mid-South Industries in Nashville, TN as an apprentice tool & die maker and remained with the company for 24 years advancing to the role of Vice President and General Manager. Over the next 20 years of Mr. Harwell’s career, he went on to serve as Vice President of three other manufacturing companies (Grey & Dudley, Temtex Products and Briskin Industries). Mr. Harwell was member of the Nashville Tool & Die Association and a Director of the Nashville Area Vocational-Technical School.

Known simply as “Vice” to his family and friends, Mr. Harwell was a 32° Mason and active member of the Provost Guard at the Al Menah Shrine Temple in Nashville, TN. Mr. Harwell served multiple times as Chairman of the Potentate’s Ball and was a founding member of the Provost Guard motorcycle unit. In his spare time, he and Roxie traveled to over 14 different countries and were both certified as Master Gardeners. Joe was an active member of Brook Hollow Baptist Church and a dedicated “go to guy” when Spring or Fall clean-up was needed for the church property. Always one to be in service of others, Joe was always looking to make sure others were better than himself.

A family visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 12 from 10:30 AM to Noon at Brook Hollow Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM at Harpeth Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriners Children’s Hospitals in the memory of Joe Harwell.

Condolences can be sent to 7767 Springville Drive, Houston, TX 77095. The family would like to especially thank the staff at NHC at The Trace and Williamson Medical Center for their care and dedication.