On June 18th, 2022, Demetress Harrell was installed as the 2022-2023 District Governor for District 5910.
Demetress Curl-Harrell is a resident of Lufkin, Texas where she is a notably active community leader. Demetress is married to Demetrius R. Harrell, her exceptional friend and supportive mate for 33 years. Demetress strives for excellence in her daily life as she promotes the value of self-worth among her colleagues and spiritual peers. Demetress serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Hospice in the Pines, Incorporated where she has been employed since 1993, Demetress has also been an adjunct instructor for Angelina Community College for the past seventeen years where she motivates the educational endeavors of her many students. Demetress holds a Bachelor’s degree with double majors in Social Work and Sociology, a Masters of Arts in Community Counseling and has obtained multiple hours in her pursuit of a PhD in Public Health Administration. Demetress recently achieved a certification from Yale University in Healthcare management and has a DEI certificate from the USF Muma College of Business. Demetress is a strong advocate in her community supporting many service programs, local projects and civic organizations. Demetress has been a featured keynote speaker for various groups including Hospice, Healthcare and other business-related forums nationally as well as internationally. Demetress was appointed as a Hospice Ambassador by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization this April 2021 and has been a key representative on the United States Capitol Hill for many years.
While end of life care is a great passion, it is Demetress’ civic work that defines her service above self attributes. Since 1998 Demetress has been a member of the Angelina Rotary club of Lufkin where she served as President in 2006 and 2015. Demetress has held many District roles from Membership Chair to Assistant Governor yet today she is slated for the most invaluable role as District Governor 2022-2023. Demetress also held the distinguished role of RI Assistant Rotary Coordinator of Membership before being selected as a District Governor candidate. Demetress is still in awe of her most recent Rotary appointment as District Governor Elect which has truly captured the essence of her commitment to Rotary service. Demetress is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow receiving her ruby stone and a member of the Paul Harris Society. She was most honored to present her mother with a Paul Harris Fellow some years ago and will anticipate to present one for her husband during her installation. While this rotary leader serves on many Boards, Committee’s and Alliances, she attributes her hard work to the service model learned in the Rotary action initiatives.
Demetress is an Executive Board Chair of the CHI St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Directors (Common Spirit) and is also appointed to the CHI Hospital Texas Division Board Advisory, She also serves on the Texas and New Mexico Hospice Board of Director as Vice President, National Hospice and Palliative Care CEO steering committee and is a National Hospice Ambassador, Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance, National Association of Social Work/Texas Nomination’s Chair and any more healthcare affiliations. She serves on many local and civic committees as well.
This young lady has been honored with many awards and accolades to include the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, TXNMHO Board President Director of the year, Angelina Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Professional of the Year, Rotary Roll of Fame award, and best featured presenter for Hospice care; however, Demetress believes that God is the highest award recipient and presenter. This May of 2022, Demetress received the McKnight’s “Woman of Distinction Hall of Honor” award in Chicago for her amazing work in Healthcare & Hospice.
It is by this song that Demetress lives by: “May the works I’ve done speak for Me”.
Demetress is a devoted member of the First Missionary Baptist Church; Demetress is a Sunday School instructor and for more than ten years she was the President of the Ruth Circle Mission group. Demetress has been a very active member of the General Mission of FMBC serving for more than seven years as President. Demetress has spoken to many groups around East Texas.
Demetress is the founder of the Sherman and Mandy Curl Memorial Scholarship Foundation along with her husband, and since 1999 this scholarship has provided financial aid to graduating seniors around the schools near her residence.
Demetress has also been very devoted to her parents as an only child. This woman continues to commit to making a difference in the lives of others.
Demetress has also written three books and many publications.