A greatly loved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, Jeff Phylas Hartsell, 81, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully with his wife Jane and family members by his side on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

After graduating from The Citadel in 1962, Mr. Hartsell continued his military career by enlisting in the US Army. He was transferred to the US Army Reserves, where he served for five years.

Jeff joined his family's business, Hartsell Funeral Homes in 1963. A business that was started in 1860 by his great grandfather, Jacob Hartsell. Jeff wasted no time becoming a licensed funeral director and applying the same discipline, hard work, values, and principles he learned at The Citadel into his new role at the funeral home. In 1970, Jeff married the love of his life, Jane, and they would go on to have five children, two of whom (Miller and Coburn) would follow in his footsteps and graduate from The Citadel.

Upon his father’s death, Jeff became CEO of Hartsel Funeral Homes. Jeff found meaning in the many individual relationships that he developed over the years. He was an amazing listener and always went out of his way to speak to everyone. It was out of this genuine passion that Mr. Hartsell grew Hartsell Funeral Homes to one of the largest independently owned firms in North Carolina. Today Jeff's children continue to carry his legacy into the fifth generation of service.