Jackie Harrell was the very essence of compassion, of duty, of beauty and style. When Jackie worked at the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, she was our symbol of selfless humanity, always concerned for the rights of the less fortunate among us. Today through this column, that travels the world through standard print and via the internet, I say thank you to a great woman for the way she brightened so many lives. It seems as though God has taken you away too soon, but we are still grateful that you came along at all. It will not be easy walking into the office and never hearing my secretary say “Jackie called and said call her back ASAP!” It will not be easy not having you in my life anymore, but you strengthened us all and prepared us for these days ahead. When I thought of your friend Gladys, I thought of you and when I thought of you, I thought of Gladys. You two were such great and inseparable friends. I know that Gladys loved you. I know that she will miss you tremendously. I recall the laughs that we all shared together. Your laugh, that laugh that so often bent you double, your joy for life and the sparkle in your beautiful brown eyes, that boundless energy and unforgettable class, will be missed by all who knew you and loved you. Your beauty, both internal and external will never be extinguished from our minds and hearts. To Kia, Kenneth, and all who loved you, we send our condolences and prayers.

 In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”