Chonita LaJuan Harrell's Obituary
Chonita LaJuan Harrell “Nita” as she was affectionately known, was born February 21, 1951, to McKinley and Johnie Ruth Harrell in Battle Creek, MI and was the oldest of their four children. Maurice (Tony); Charisse and Gwen, all knew her as their big sister. She was educated in Jackson Public Schools and went on to take classes at Jackson Community College. Her focus of study was Stenography. She took pride in learning and mastering Shorthand and had handwriting equal to calligraphy. Chonita was the proud mother of four children; Bryan, Chala, OnDria and OnDreana. They were the loves of her life, she took much pride in them as she watched them grow and develop into awesome adults in the community.
Church was always an integral part of Chonita's life. Whether it was singing in the choir at Lily Baptist, participating in YWCC at Faith Temple, serving as Sunday school superintendent at United Peoples, or women’s ministry at Monument of Faith. In her later years, she attended Word of Light Christian Center under the leadership of Pastors Wayne and Beverly White; where she remained a member until death. She became an avid prayer partner with her fellow members, and she enjoyed being a part of the women’s ministry. Chonita found her professional career to be successful and complete when she landed a job at Michigan Department of Corrections, she was employed there for 27 years as an administrative secretary in various capacities. She loved her time working at the prison, meeting and making new friends, some of whom she has established true friendship with even up until today, earning her the title “Mama Nita”, to date many still refer to her as that as a term of endearment. From assisting the warden of the prison, to giving words of advice to the prisoners, she always wanted to make a positive impact. She received numerous recognition certificates and awards doing her tenure. She loved to write poems for friends, to her children and to her family, in addition to writing condolences for various churches in the Jackson community. She wrote so many encouraging notes, for those that needed uplifting. If you needed fried chicken, she was your cook; Iced box Lemon Pie, second to none. Want to learn new dance moves, she had them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Mckinley and Johnie Ruth Harrell and her brother Maurice (Tony) Harrell. Her life and legacy of love will live on in the hearts of her children; Bryan, Chala, OnDria (Theodore) Boyd III and OnDreana (Tony) Humes; Grandchildren; Malcolm Fowler, Quincy White, Chanell Fowler, Andria Fowler, Theodore Boyd IV, Michaela Campbell, Donovan Boyd and Kaelyn Lott; Great Grandchildren; Kaden Boyd, Dior Campbell, Denim Fowler, Cassius Smith, Anthony Parker III, and Kylo Zen Fowler, bonus grandchildren; Ericka (Mark) Davis, Marcus (Chamicka) Lott and Preston Williams; special niece/daughter; Shantelle (Terance) Hawkins. Siblings Charisse (McKinley) Chatman and Gwendolyn Johnson; Aunt Rosie Hill Norris; a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
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