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Albemarle Boats Founder Passes

ALBEMARLE BOATS FOUNDER, JOSEPH SCOTT HARRELL, PASSES AWAYJanuary 25th, 2018

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death this week of Albemarle Boats founder, Joseph Scott Harrell.  Harrell’s vision for a high-quality, trailerable, offshore-capable fishing boat was born as the first Albemarle 24 in 1978.  The 24’s soft, dry ride made her an immediate success, and the owners of these first boats quickly demanded larger ones.  The ensuing years saw the introduction of several larger models, and the iconic sportfishing brand was born.  Forty years later Albemarle, The Carolina Classic, continues to build on Harrell’s legacy as we strive to consistently exceed sportfishermen’s expectations in the areas of quality, value, innovation, service, and pure enjoyment. Joseph Scott Harrell, 90, of Edenton, passed away January 23, 2018. Scott was born on January 3, 1928 to the late Bessie Cecelia Leary and Rodney Tuttle Harrell.  Raised on rich Rocky Hock dirt and his mom’s locally famous southern cooking, Scott and his three siblings enjoyed an idyllic childhood – or so we believe from the indelible tales we never tired of hearing.  He grew up in Rocky Hock Baptist Church, and was baptized in the Chowan River.  Scott married Beverly Ann Moore and joined Edenton Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon.  In 1951, Scott founded Edenton Tractor and Implement, the beginning of a lifelong love affair with tractors and delighted in mowing and moving dirt until just last year. In the early 1950, he began carving out Edenton Marina from a run of Pembroke Creek.  In 1978, Scott founded Albemarle Boats, and a legacy of fine offshore fishing boats lives on.  He had a big time growing the Albemarle brand, and thoroughly enjoyed travels and friends made through the Albemarle network. Scott’s greatest pleasures were lively gatherings with family and friends, working on his tractor, mastering the art of frying, NASCAR racing, good books, classic country music, and putting up enough Silver Queen corn to carry a half dozen families through winter, earning him a King Corn title.  He was a keen business man with a quick wit, a load of charm, and an impish sense of humor, loving nothing more than a good practical joke. He was both a generous man and stubborn as a mule, and stood firm and proud of his role as supervisor of most everything. He was equally quick with a grin and an infamous cross of his arms. He was – without a doubt – the world’s greatest Pop Pop, and his children and grandchildren were his life’s greatest treasures. Pop Pop as he was fondly called by many always told us to send a little bit of his ashes up in fireworks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, and his second wife, Shirley Williams Harrell, whom he married following Beverly death. He is survived by his three children: daughters, Ann Harrell Perry and her husband Warner, Elizabeth Harrell Johnstone, and her husband Hall; son, Joseph Scott Harrell, Jr, and his wife Missie, all of Edenton; Grandchildren: Burch Perry and wife Julie, Mary Scott Perry Haigler, and husband Ted, Bess Harrell Little and husband George, Catie Harrell Salyer and husband Stephen, Francie Harrell Winslow and husband Wyatt, Cole Johnstone and wife Ashlea, and Lex Johnstone and wife Michelle; and 16 great grandchildren: Bryson and Warner Perry, Eloise, Bear and Cecelia Haigler, Ros and Scott Little, Cece and Averett Salyer, Wade, Marjorie, Abigail, Mary Frances, and Drew Winslow, Bennett Johnstone, and Addison Johnstone; three siblings: sister, Marion Cross Goodman and brothers, Rodney Tuttle Harrell and Robert Shirley Harrell, all of Edenton; and a host of nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is survived by his wife Shirley’s children: Howard Glasgow and wife Eileen, Del Bilagody and husband Jim, and Mark Glasgow. A memorial service will be held at Edenton Baptist Church on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am with Reverend David Brooks officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Vidant Chowan Hospice, Edenton Baptist Church, or NAMI Albemarle Region. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Willie Drew for his lifelong friendship, companionship, and love in his final months; to Shirley OLoughlin, for her loving care; and to Arlyn Jones for his kindness and compassion. For More Information contact: Harry R. Hindmarsh [email protected] 757-535-8484   ALBEMARLE BOATS 140 Midway Drive Edenton, NC, 27932 252.482.7600