The Pinecone

A LIFE OF ADVENTURE & SERVICE

Jean and Raymond Harvell both agree that they have lived a fulfilled life. “We have a great family, and we have had so many wonderful life experiences. We are truly blessed,” says Jean. When meeting the Harvells, you can sense the joy in this couple who recently celebrated sixty-eight years together. They have one daughter, Patti, one son, Ray, eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. 

Barbara Jean (Barber) Harvell was born in Covington, Tennessee in 1936. She says she had a very happy childhood. She and her brother were very close. Although her parents were very strict, “I always felt loved”, says Jean. “My father owned an old car and he would say, ‘get in the car, we’re going for a ride.’ We would all get in the car and off we would go.”

Jean’s family moved to Memphis while she was very young and her first six years of school were at Leroy Pope. Because the family moved frequently, Jean attended Messick and Humes before starting high school at Treadwell, where she was a cheerleader and a member of the National Honor Society. 

Raymond Earl Harvell, the youngest of five children, was born in Memphis in 1935. He was born twelve years after his oldest sibling and therefore was an only child for much of his young life. He attended all grades at Treadwell where he played football and basketball and was in the ROTC. He developed his love of golf when he began caddying at the Chickasaw Golf course at the age of twelve. 

Jean and Raymond met at Treadwell High. “She was the only girl I ever dated,” says Raymond. “We loved to go dancing on Saturday nights and enjoyed going to drive-in movies.” Jean adds, “As a matter of fact, we became engaged at a drive-in movie.” They decided to elope. One week following graduation, they drove to Hernando, Mississippi, and were married. They honeymooned at the Memphis Holiday Inn, and Raymond went back to work on Monday. Jean decided to inform her parents of their marriage by telegram. The telegram read: “Dear Mom and Dad, Raymond and I got married. Bye, Jean.” That telegram is now framed. 

Jean and Raymond have lived in Memphis their entire marriage except for a brief time in Montgomery, Alabama. Jean’s mother, a widow, moved in with them as a young couple. Jean relates, “I was fortunate to have my mother live with us for forty-two years. She was a tremendous help in caring for the children and the household so I could continue to work.” Raymond was a member of the Air Force Reserves for eight years and was stationed at the Memphis airport, so this did not disrupt their lifestyle. 

Jean’s off-and-on work experience was with various insurance agencies starting with E. H. Crump. She began that work as a customer service representative, eventually obtaining a license to sell property and casualty insurance. 

In 1954, Raymond started work with Buckeye Cotton Oil, before moving to Southern Bell as a technician in 1955. In 1958, Raymond accepted a job with the American Tobacco Company in Montgomery, Alabama, eventually becoming a district manager. However, according to Raymond, Jean became homesick, and they returned to Memphis. He found employment selling pharmaceuticals. Because his last two jobs involved much travel and time away from home, Raymond’s entrepreneurial idea to start a packaging company was launched. This endeavor was successful, having contracts with stores such as Kroger and Wal-Mart. After thirty-nine years in packaging, at the age of eighty, Raymond decided to retire, “I still miss it,” he admits. 

Jean and Raymond’s life has been filled with adventure and service. “We have been truly blessed to be able to travel extensively, visiting many countries and enjoying several cruises,” acknowledges Jean. As members of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Raymond has served on the Vestry and Jean as a lay reader. Raymond, until recently, loved playing golf and Jean enjoyed bowling until knee replacement was necessary. Raymond has served in several voluntary service positions. In the Al Chymia Shriners organization, Raymond served as Potentate at one time and continues his membership with them. Perhaps his most important contributions have been the twenty years he served on the Shelby County Housing Authority and the sixteen years on the Civil Service Board. 

The Harvells decided in 2011 that Kirby Pines was the place for them. According to Jean, “We wanted to make plans so that our children would not be burdened with making decisions. In 2021, we knew it was time to move in. On our first night here, as we entered the dining room, I looked around and said to Raymond, ‘All these people here are old!’ Then I realized we were probably older than most of them. I now know that everyone is young at heart and that is what makes Kirby so special.”

Since moving to Kirby Pines, Jean and Raymond have incorporated the lifestyle here. “What’s not to like about Kirby?” exclaims Jean. “The people are so friendly and kind. The grounds are magnificent; I love to walk my little dog, Precious, and I don’t have to cook! I have joined the Line Dancers with such a great group of ladies, and I have learned and love to play Mahjong. Raymond enjoys the Saturday morning Men’s Fellowship and the Garden Club.” Thus, a new chapter in a fulfilled life has begun for the Harvells. 

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines

A DESIRE TO FINISH WELL

Cheryl Johnson became a part of our lives when she married our former and beloved Chaplain Don Johnson in May 2005. Always an extension of Don’s ministries, Cheryl continues today toward the goal she and Don shared, “to finish well.” Cheryl’s caring and positive nature reflect a life of success in having attained both personal and spiritual growth. 

Cheryl’s parents, Terry and Bobbi Stigall, and two older siblings, moved to midtown Memphis when she was a young girl. This allowed Cheryl to attend what she considered “great schools” in the area: Idlewild Elementary, Fairview Junior and Central High. The family became members of Union Avenue Methodist Church. Music and dance lessons were offered; however, Cheryl says that she was “tone deaf” and music lessons stopped. She found her love in athletics, and according to her, “To say I was a tomboy would be an understatement!” She played softball and basketball in the beginning but later added golf, biking, and tennis. 

In her senior year of high school, Cheryl transferred to White Station High and discovered acting. Her involvement in athletics, dancing and acting has continued throughout her adult life as evidenced by her current membership with the Kirby Pines Line Dancers and Ham’ateurs Group.

Cheryl chose to attend Florida International University in Miami and earned a degree in Finance. She was given the opportunity to join Citibank’s Management Training Program. Out of a class of twenty-five, there were only three women! She worked in several departments including Private and Corporate Banking, Training, and Public Relations before being selected for a new program in which bankers were trained and licensed to sell and manage investment portfolios. Cheryl says, “It was an ‘eye-opener’ to work for an international organization with colleagues from all over the world. Since I was from Memphis, everyone wanted to know about Elvis. They thought I surely must have known him.” 

According to Cheryl, “I have been blessed to have been married to two wonderful men. While living in Miami, I met and married Steven Waters, a banker, civic leader, and devout Christian. Steve practiced the teachings in James 2:24 that ‘Faith without works is dead.’ Following his unexpected death in 1991, so many shared how their life had been greatly influenced by him. Most of his work was done privately, and even I didn’t know all his acts of kindness and generosity. 

In 2000, Cheryl retired early and moved back to Memphis to be near her mother after her father passed away. In 2004, her mother, Bobbi Stigall, moved to Kirby Pines. It was at a Vespers service that Cheryl re-connected with Chaplain Don Johnson—and the rest is history! They were married in a private ceremony in the Chapel at Christ Methodist Church, where Cheryl maintains her membership. 

“It was a new world,” admits Cheryl, “being married to a pastor/chaplain who had lived his entire life in Memphis where everyone seemed to know and love him. Don was a man who had devoted his life to serving God. He knew he wanted to preach and teach God’s word since he was eight years old. It was such an honor to serve with Don at Kirby Pines and also with his Bible study group, Afterglow, Life Choices, and the National Religious Broadcasters Organization.” 

As chaplain at Kirby Pines, Don visited and checked on those residents who were ill or in need of prayer. He also conducted the Sunday 10:00 am religious services in the PAC as well as in the health care areas on Sunday afternoon, always assisted by Cheryl. Together, Don and Cheryl were a great team! Sadly, Don passed away on September 24, 2021, following an extended illness. 

Cheryl says that she has been fortunate to be able to travel to many places during her lifetime. “My parents introduced me to the joys of travel, and that has continued throughout my adulthood.” There have been cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, and the Mediterranean, but also notable adventures such as attending the Vancouver World’s Fair and seeing the Royals, riding a donkey down the Grand Canyon, horseback riding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, skiing in Park City, Utah, are among unique experiences of a lifetime. However, for Cheryl, the most memorable was the trip to the Holy Land and Egypt in 1987. 

Currently, Cheryl continues her ministry with Remember That Someone Cares, which is focused on remembering residents in the health care areas on their birthdays. She also keeps in touch with residents who are ill or in need of prayer and keeps others informed with emails and a published, weekly prayer list. She attends the Thursday morning Bible class and is learning to play Mahjong. “I especially enjoy walking around the beautiful grounds of Kirby,” says Cheryl. 

Cheryl has this to say about her current life: “Kirby Pines is truly a family affair as my sister, Diane Talarico, moved here in 2017. Don and I became residents in 2019, and I’m especially grateful we were here during COVID and Don’s illness. As I have often said, the very best thing about Kirby is the people—where so many are kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and caring, not to mention talented. 

Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your story and for being such an excellent role model for all who desire to “finish well”. 

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines