Nell Harrell Widener
October 5, 1940 – February 26, 2026

Funeral services for Nell Harrell Widener, 85, of Cairo, GA, are at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Eastside Baptist Church, Cairo, GA. Rev. Matt Vickers will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo, GA. Mrs. Widener passed away at her home on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Active pallbearers will be Nell’s nephews.

Mrs. Widener was born on October 5, 1940, in Whigham, GA, to the late Douglas Harrell and Madie Ellie Hall Harrell. On March 18, 1960, she married John Edward Widener, who preceded her in death on April 2, 2005. They were married for 45 years. She was secretary to the president of Cairo Banking Company for many years. Nell was a member of Eastside Baptist Church.

Survivors include: her son, John Edward “JJ” Widener, II, (Christi) of Thomasville, GA; grandchild, Justice Grace Widener of Kennesaw, GA; brothers, Larry Harrell (Gilda), Tommy Harrell, John C. Harrell (Denna), all of Whigham; sister, Bonnie Amdahl of Columbus, GA; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Harrell of Cairo, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Douglas and Madie Harrell; her husband, John Widener; and her brothers, W. C. Harrell, Bruce Harrell.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Widener’s memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family will receive friends at Eastside Baptist Church on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.