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Rev. Michael Lee Isbell, age 79, retired minister, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023, at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the home and also from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, October 27, 2023, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held 1:00 PM also on Friday at Mother of Mercy Catholic Church.  A burial will immediately follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens in Washington.

Rev. Isbell was born in Cabell County, West Virginia on August 4, 1944. He was the son of the late Albert Lee Isbell and Mary Frances Waugh Isbell. Rev. Isbell graduated from Ironton High School in 1962. In 1967, he graduated from Roanoke Bible College with a BA degree. Rev. Isbell received his Master of Arts in Religion from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.   He served at First Christian Church in Belhaven for many years.  Rev. Isbell was a member of Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the local Republican party.  He served on the Beaufort County School board for several years.   In his spare time, Rev. Isbell enjoyed reading and participating in church activities.

On June 28, 1970, he married the former Jo Ann Alligood, who survives.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Elizabeth I. Baker and husband Keith of Youngsville, N.C., Catherine I. King and husband, Travis of Greenville; five grandchildren, Sarah Baker, Caroline Baker, Rachel Baker, Jameson Isbell, Maya King; and sister, Melissa Lewis and husband, Garrett of Elizabeth City.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Isbell was preceded in death by a sister, Shaunna Isbell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, 112 West 9^th Street, Washington, NC  27889, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, 715 North Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 or First Christian Church in Belhaven, P.O. Box 577, Belhaven, NC 27810.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Isbell family.