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Essie Rae McLawhorn Hassell, 99, of Elizabeth City, died on July 11, 2021. Born in Pitt County on November 28, 1921 to the late Robert McLawhorn and Dicie Stocks McLawhorn, she was the widow of Wilbert Hassell.

She is survived by daughters Hazel Eves (Charlie), Dean Strain, Mable Dale (Tommie), Jennette Meads (Dennis) and Shirley Spruill (Allen); son Steve Hassell (Debbie); half-sisters Kathy, Lois and Dorothy; half-brothers Joe, Eugene and Bobby; daughter-in-law Zella; 21 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and 25 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by sons Leroy Hassell and Wilbert Hassell and son-in-law Alton Strain.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on July 15 at Twiford Memorial Chapel with Sean Hassell officiating. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/TwifordFuneralHome. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Albemarle Home Care and Hospice, 1507 N. Road Street, #2, Elizabeth City, NC  27909.  Twiford Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City is serving the family.  www.TwifordFH.com.

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