Harrell, Baylee Dane

Baylee Dane Harrell laid her mortal body down, and left this earthly life to return to her heavenly home, on Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Salem Health Center, in Salem, Oregon. By her side were her loving parents, Rebecca Porterfield and Barry Dale Harrell, and her love and life partner, Shaun R. Phillips.

A beautiful baby girl, she entered this life on November 20, 1991 in Blytheville, Arkansas, weighing in at 9# 1oz. She was the third addition to the “Killer Bees”. Having just turned 31, she was a bright light to the world that stopped shining far too soon. As a baby she would console herself by sucking her thumb and playing with her ear. However, it did not take long for her powerful, sometimes feisty little personality to start shining through. At a very young age she was able to climb out of her crib, and after a bit of a thud, the pitter patter of little feet could be heard scampering down the hall. She was known to her father as his “little head banger”. She would not be contained.

Baylee was a natural beauty, with a flawless porcelain complexion, perfectly straight teeth, hazel eyes, and a head full of ringlet curls, which she inherited from her father.

She had a passion for writing and a love for words. With her ever increasing vocabulary, she would place pen to paper, and artistically and poetically pour out her thoughts and dreams. An avid reader, with a hunger to learn, she seemed always to have a book in her hands, with a host of others waiting to be read. With her snarky sense of humor and quick wit, a trait she shared with her sisters, she brought joy and laughter to those in her presence. Her laughter and beautiful smile would brighten the room. She loved music, and loved to dance. With a unique and eclectic style, and a flare for fashion, she lived by the mantra she shared with her baby sister, “When you can be anything in the world, be yourself”. She had a love of the ocean, which she lived beside for the past five years. She could swim like a fish, and had an unfulfilled childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist. She shared a love of roller coasters with her sisters, riding together with screams and laughter, being caught up in the thrill of the moment.

Though the struggles of life were difficult, and the burdens great to bear, she was a beautiful person inside and out. She had compassion and concern for those around her, and a love for her family that ran deep. She was sealed to her family at the Washington DC temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 6, 1999; an event that seemed important to her.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Granny Zula and PawPaw Elmer Harrell, Grandaddy Lewis “Fat” Porterfield, two sweet spirits that did not get the opportunity to be born, her beloved Uncle Terry Allen, kindred spirit, cousin, Lenny Marshall, and surrogate Paw Russell Link.

She leaves to honor and cherish her memory, her parents, Rebecca and Barry Harrell, partner, Shaun Phillips, elder brother and sister, Brett A. Harrell, and Brittany A. Halsey (Kevin), and baby sister, Brielle A. Harrell (Chance), two sweet nieces, Chloe Lynn and Ayla Mae Halsey, Granny Juanita “Teto” Porterfield, Auntie Trina Porterfield Pifer (T.H.), furbaby kitties, Saffron and Kit-Kat; along with a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), in Pembroke, VA Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00 PM. There will also be a visitation with the family from on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The family will have a private committal service. She will be laid to rest at the Thornspring United Methodist Church Cemetery at 5670 Thornspring Church Rd, in Dublin, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in remembrance of Baylee to one of the following, or any worthy charitable cause: “To Write Love on Her Arms” (twloha.com/donations) or “The Oregon Coast Aquarium” ( aquarium.org/support)

The family wishes to thank all for the prayers, good thoughts, and any efforts that were offered in Baylee’s behalf. Gratitude is expressed to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Salem Health Center in Salem, Oregon, for the excellent care and compassion given to their daughter and themselves. “Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering, and is at peace, enveloped by the love of her Heavenly Father, and surrounded by her loved ones who have gone on before.” A guestbook is available by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Harrell Family.