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AHOSKIE – Jane Ellen Harrell Brake, age 78, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at her home.

Ellen was born on May 1, 1945 to Joseph Edward Harrell and Idell Farmer Harrell in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She was a longtime member of Earlys Baptist Church in Ahoskie. She worked at and co-owned Eddie Harrell’s Auto and Sports Store with her siblings for many years. Ellen enjoyed fishing on the Chowan River and was always up for dancing as long as her health permitted. Her family was most important to her. She was first and foremost a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt to her family, and a great friend to many.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph “Joe” Edward Harrell, Jr., and a sister, Joan Harrell Holland.

Left to cherish Ellen’s memory is her devoted husband of 40 years, Robert; her two daughters, Tina Copeland and wife Laura, and Gina Copeland Smith and husband Dennis; grandchildren, Jacy and Jevin Copeland, and Kylie Smith; her mother-in-law, Doris Ann Brake; four siblings, Jewel Harrell Newsome and husband Charlie, Joy Harrell and husband Drap, Jerry Harrell and wife Belinda, and Jacqueline Gay Harrell Eason and husband Johnny; sister-in-law, Billie Harrell; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC and other times at the home.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, Ahoskie, NC, with Rev. David Allen and Rev Joshua Prosser officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made directly to Earlys Baptist Church, 310 S. Early Station Road, Ahoskie, North Carolina, 27910 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com, search fund/ type- Ellen Brake

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service is handling the arrangements for the Brake family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.