Joe D. Harwell

Waynesville, Joseph "Joe" Dow Harwell, 77, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 

A native of Florence, SC, he was a son of the late Baxter Hicks Harwell, Sr. and Lacy Rankin Harwell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Rev. Lacy Harwell, Judge B. Hicks Harwell, Jr. and Judge David W. Harwell. Joe was a graduate of McClenaghan High School and The University of South Carolina and received his master’s degree in social work from UNC Chapel Hill. He attended Maggie Valley United Methodist Church. Joe retired from the Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC and Haywood County Hospital in NC. Joe was a wonderful, insightful therapist. His great strength was his ability to feel what others felt and help them to find ways to make therapeutic changes in their lives. He loved music and reading. Joe was blessed with many compassionate friends during his illness. 

Joe is survived by a sister, Anne Harwell Hill of Midlothian, Va.; brother, James R. Harwell of Florence, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maggie Valley United Methodist Church, 4192 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751. 

The care of Mr. Harwell has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville