James Edward Harrill

James Edward (Ed) Harrill, 94, passed away peacefully at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living
surrounded by his loving family on March 10, 2025. He was born in Rutherford County, North
Carolina on April 23, 1930, the 10th child of a cotton farming family. He graduated from Cliffside
High School in 1948 and Berea College in Kentucky in 1952 before attaining a Master’s degree
at George Peabody College for Teachers (now Vanderbilt University) the following year. In that
same year, he married Lois Evans and taught in a one-room school in Rockcastle County,
Kentucky before being drafted for service during the Korean War. Most of his service was
guarding the Panama Canal. Together Ed and Lois had two children, Myra and Mark.

Always interested in further learning, Ed pursued and completed a Ph.D. in Guidance and
Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961 and accepted a professor
position at Appalachian State Teacher’s College (now Appalachian State University). In 1967,
he attended the Merrill Palmer Institute for post-doctoral child and family studies. He was a well-
respected colleague and a remarkable teacher, who had a positive impact on so many students.
In addition to teaching, Ed helped to establish the Counseling and Psychological Services
Center on campus, became a licensed psychologist, and was Associate Dean of the College of
Education for several years. As exceptional as Ed was a teacher, he was an even better
listener, offering support both informally and professionally to many folks including through
private practice. He was often involved in volunteer community and church activities, most
notably with Meals on Wheels in both Boone and Chapel Hill.

Sadly, in 1979, Ed’s wife Lois was killed in an automobile accident. Fortunately, he found love
again when he married Annabel Colvard Hunter in 1980. He and Annabel combined families
with five adult children and enjoyed many years together, often involving grandchildren, family
get-togethers, international guests, and gardening. “Grandpa and Granny” provided many happy
years for children and grandchildren, as well as extended family and friends.

Ed is predeceased by his wife Annabel and first wife Lois, his son Mark, and his son-in-law Bob
Angel. 

He is survived by his daughter Myra Angel of Richmond, VA; daughter-in-law Missy
Harrill of Boone, NC; stepsons Jeff Hunter and wife Kathy, and Neal Hunter and wife Janet, of
Durham, NC; grandchildren Lauren Angel of NYC; Jacqueline Angel of Richmond, VA; Jay
Harrill and wife Mariska and Brad Harrill and wife Sarah Jane of Boone, NC; Zach Hunter of
Raleigh, NC; Anthony Hunter of Asheville, NC; Daniel Hunter of Ashe County, NC; and Levi
Hunter of Durham, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in North Carolina and
Kentucky.

A celebration of life will be held at Austin Barnes Funeral Home in Boone, NC on Saturday,
March 22, 2025 at 11:00am. Private burial will follow at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center
132 Poplar Grove Connector
Boone, NC 28607

The Mark E. Harrill Basketball Practice Facility
303 Stadium Drive
Boone, NC 28607
The family would like to express appreciation to the very caring and professional staffs of Medi
Home Health Hospice and Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin and Barnes is serving the Harrill family.

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