Longtime El Paso Couple Nell and Donald Harrawood Pass Away

Nell and Donald Harrawood, who married in 1950, died in 2025 and 2023 respectively.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Nell Harrawood, the daughter of Moses and Julia Mayberry, and her husband Donald Harrawood, the son of Daye and Florence Harrawood, passed away in El Paso, Texas. The couple married in 1950 in McLeansboro, Illinois and were Protestant by faith. Nell was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing, while Donald served in the U.S. Army and enjoyed tending to his koi ponds and smoking and grilling food.

Why it matters

The passing of Nell and Donald Harrawood marks the end of an era for a longtime El Paso couple who lived full lives together over the course of 75 years. Their story reflects the experiences of many couples who have built lives and families in the community over multiple generations.

The details

Nell Harrawood died on August 21, 2025, while her husband Donald Harrawood passed away on December 1, 2023. Both died in El Paso, Texas. Nell was the daughter of Moses and Julia Mayberry, while Donald was the son of Daye and Florence Harrawood. The couple married on July 4, 1950 in McLeansboro, Illinois. Nell was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing, while Donald served in the U.S. Army and enjoyed tending to his koi ponds and smoking and grilling food. They were survived by their daughter Trina Schafer and her husband Howard, their son Eric Harrawood and his wife Imelda, and four grandchildren.

  • Nell Harrawood died on August 21, 2025.
  • Donald Harrawood died on December 1, 2023.
  • The couple married on July 4, 1950 in McLeansboro, Illinois.

The players

Nell Harrawood

The daughter of Moses and Julia Mayberry, Nell was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing.

Donald Harrawood

The son of Daye and Florence Harrawood, Donald served in the U.S. Army and enjoyed tending to his koi ponds and smoking and grilling food.

Trina Schafer

The daughter of Nell and Donald Harrawood.

Eric Harrawood

The son of Nell and Donald Harrawood.

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What’s next

A joint funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 7, 2026 at Dale Community Church in Dale, Illinois, with Pastor Rodney Brock officiating. Burial of ashes will follow at Digby Hill Cemetery in Dale.

The takeaway

The passing of Nell and Donald Harrawood marks the end of an era for a longtime El Paso couple who built a life and family together over the course of 75 years, reflecting the experiences of many couples who have established deep roots in the community over multiple generations.