Obituary of Bernelle Jarrell Rich

Bernelle Jarrell Rich of Roanoke, VA passed away on January 21, 2024, in Roanoke, VA. She was born on November 15, 1926, in Surry County, North Carolina. She grew up in a large family on the family farm, a daughter of the late Sidney F. Jarrell and Evie Hawks Jarrell. She was a member of Ivy Green Baptist church there, which was founded by her paternal ancestors. Her husband of almost 69 years, William M. (Bill) Rich, Jr. predeceased her on October 8, 2014. Also preceding her in death were brothers Osler, Arlan, Oran, and Clellan Jarrell, (and two who died as infants, Elwyn and LeMoyne); sisters Emogene Jarrell Fulk, Lola J. Marshall Collins, Vertie and Virginia Dare Jarrell, and half-brother Porter Jarrell, all originally of Surry County, NC.

She is survived by a daughter, Regina Rich Vance, of Birmingham, AL, two granddaughters Alicia Vance, Alison Vance Waldrip (Will), also of Birmingham, AL, and a grandson Andrew (Julia) Vance, of Aurora, CO. She is also survived by five great-grandsons, Vance Waldrip, Grey Waldrip, Casey Waldrip, (Birmingham, AL), Edward Vance, and Rhys Vance (Aurora, CO). She is also survived by a sister Jo Jarrell Darnell Dresser of Winston-Salem, NC, and several very dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Bernelle was a graduate of National Business College, Roanoke (now American National University) with a degree in Secretarial Science. She was employed for 10 years as secretary to the president of Wythe County National Bank, Wytheville, VA, where she and Bill lived. After moving to Roanoke, she was a secretary in the Psychology Department of Hollins University, and later at the Hollins Communications Research Institute in the stuttering clinic for over 30 years. 

She was a loyal and active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Roanoke since 1957. It was there where she enjoyed singing in the choir, served as Missions Chair, Sunday School teacher, President of Grace United Methodist Women, Roanoke District President of the UMW, Secretary of VA Conference Board of Missions of the UMC, and Secretary of the Administrative Council of Grace UMC. Bernelle was a member of and held offices of several service clubs in the Roanoke area. She enjoyed her loving family, music, reading, traveling in the USA, Canada, and Europe with her husband and friends, and fellowship with her church family. 

A celebration of Bernelle’s life will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Simpson Funeral Home at 5160 Peters Creek Road, with the Pastor Robert Haley officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Salem, VA, next to her dear husband. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Grace United Methodist Church, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation.