Mary Belle Garraghty Harrell, 85, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023. Belle was married September 1, 1962, to Lemuel David Harrell, her soul mate. From that union she always believed she grew both spiritually and intellectually. Belle was born on December 29, 1937 the second child of James Howard Garraghty I and wife, Janie Moseley Wilkerson. She was the sister of Janie Garraghty Jordan and James Howard Garraghty, II. She was the granddaughter of (maternal) Robert Winston Wilkerson and his wife, Virginia Moseley “Monie” Krantz Wilkerson, and (paternal) James Farmer Garraghty and his wife, Alice Belle Cocke Garraghty. In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Howard Garraghty II. Belle is survived by her sister, Janie Garraghty Jordan; sister-in-law’s, Dorothy Harrell Barger (Ray), Kathy A. Garraghty, Linda M. Johnson; special cousins, Dawn Tinsley Arrington (Barry), Marianne Garraghty Wydner (John) and numerous other cousins; her niece, caregiver, and friend, Wanda Garraghty Morris (Wayne), and other nephews and nieces, including Amanda Garraghty (Amanda), Michael Garraghty (Dana), Tony Garraghty (Teresa), Randall Garraghty (Julie), James Howard Garraghty III, Tony Brookus (Nicole); and numerous great and great-grand nieces and nephews. On the advice and with the support of her father, Belle became a public-school teacher. Because she loved to read, she chose high school English as her field of study and finished Lynchburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature-Speech-Writing. Later, as the desire or need arose, she did graduate work at, among others, George Washington University, American University, and the University of Virginia. Belle began her teaching career at Altavista High School, Altavista, VA. After her marriage and moving to Arlington, VA she taught journalism, creative writing, and English 9-12 at W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA. She remained there for 25 years, serving as department chairman for half of that time. After her retirement from Fairfax Co. Public Schools, Belle did further graduate work in clinical counseling and the teaching of English as a Second Language. She then taught ESL to adult refugees from Vietnam and South and Central America. She also became responsible for developing the English component of a team effort to combine academic and vocational goals for youth-at-risk. After her second retirement, Belle volunteered in a literacy program for English as a Second Language for students in Arlington, VA; and later in Campbell Co., VA. She pursued interests in stained glass, ceramic doll reproduction, needlework, gardening, and genealogical research. She published three books of abstracts of Bedford Co., VA will books, became certified by VPI as a Master Gardener, and served as officer of several historical and lineage societies. Belle requested that her cremains be placed alongside those of her husband in the William Lockett Wilkerson Cemetery, also known as the Mountain Cemetery on Wheat’s Valley Road in Bedford Co., VA. William Lockett Wilkerson being her great-great-grandfather. She also requested that there be no viewing or funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to academic scholarships at the University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA or Bethany United Methodist Church, Forest, VA. A private graveside service will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586
