Donna Sue Harvell, owner of Miss Donna’s Southern Belle Auctions, has been a pillar of the community for decades, but following the passing of her beloved husband, Scoot, she recently sold her auction house in order to spend more time with family.
Stripes Pub & Grill owner Rob Reyes, bought the building and is converting it into an event venue, which is expected to open this summer.
“I’ll still do some work,” Donna said, noting that she’s keeping her auctioneer license. “But the auction house was too much to manage without Scoot, whom I miss terribly. He was the love of my life.”
Wesley “Scoot” Harvell passed last February at the age of 77. A standing-room-only crowd overflowed from the tent at his memorial, which took place under the oak trees next to the auction house and his family home.
Scoot was one of the original “Holley boys,” who are known for hunting, fishing and not backing down from a fight. Some of his favorite things to do were hunt hogs, throwing a cast net, and playing music with his cousin Doug Barlow and good friend Marty Stokes.
He had a very loving side but was also fiercely protective of his loved ones and the local way of life.
Harvell family roots run deep in the Holley-Navarre area, tracing back to Confederate soldier Alfred Harvell, who fought in Company K of the 25th Regiment.
Alfred built a home for his family near East River on land which is now part of Eglin Air Force Base. He made a road through the swamp to the river and transported wood via a schooner to a tar plant at Gull Point, which was located on the west shore of Escambia Bay near the bridge south of Interstate 10.
In the 1940s, local families were forced off their homesteads as Choctawhatchee National Forest land was transferred to the Department of Defense. But Alfred’s son, Newsome, continued the family business of making and transporting railroad crossties, shingles and other products.
Newsome and his wife Dora raised nine children, including Scoot’s father, Woodrow, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army who was shot by Germans and swam the Rhine River while injured, narrowly escaping death and earning a Purple Heart. “We thank God he came back to us,” said Scoot’s sister, Audrey McWaters, who lives in Crestview.
Woodrow and Gladys Rogers Harvell raised their children in Holley on the property where the former auction house stands beside the home where Donna still lives.
Audrey and Donna now spend time together, leaning on one another during their grief while recalling fond memories of Scoot.
Donna was a bombshell beauty when she met her Holley boy. They fell madly in love and savored special time with their many children and grandchildren and shared a mutual passion for antiquing and auctioneering.
Scoot also became a licensed auctioneer, graduating with her son, William, in 2005. Miss Donna’s Southern Belle Auction House was a booming place during auctions, attracting visitors from throughout the region.
Together, Donna & Scoot were a formidable force, yielding influence with the State of Florida during the widening of Hwy. 87 S, successfully fighting efforts to incorporate Navarre, and playing an instrumental role in getting improvements for Holley Ball Park, including a playground area and pavilions.
When Miss Donna called, elected officials answered the phone. However, she’s not only known for her community advocacy but also generously, yet quietly, supporting others during their time of need.
The love Donna & Scoot have given the community flows naturally from their family roots. Woodrow was known as a devout Christian and Scoot’s son, Chad, has become a minister of God’s word.
We fondly remember and miss Scoot and sincerely appreciate Miss Donna, wishing her the very best in her next chapter…
