Betty Lewis Harrison

Let us tell you about our mom, Betty Lewis Harrison. She taught by example how to fearlessly embrace life and death. She "won" on May 15, 2017 at age 93. Born at home, 316 E. Park Ave on Dec. 31, 1923, the fifth of eight children of George Edward and Sarah Davis Lewis. She attended Carolyn Brevard, The Demonstration School at FSCW, and graduated Leon HS (41) as "Best All Around Girl." Class President and Permanent President of Sr. Class, graduated from FSCW in 1945; active as an "Odd" in Odd & Even Sports, Mortar Board, Phi Kappa Phi, Chi Omega, Student Government. Mom loved FSU with her heart and her money. She then attended Cornell University-NY Hospital School of Nursing in preparation to serve in WWII which thankfully ended, so she married our dad, Burwell Connor Harrison in 1946. They were married 61 years and they nurtured 6 children. As Burwell pioneered computers at the Lewis State Bank, she worked as a computer programmer with him. Banking was part of her life from birth to retirement. Too many kids to stay in a hotel, we were avid tent campers. "We Are a Camping Mess." was the family roll call as we rolled to numerous state parks. Our parents sent us to Camp Weed every summer as campers or counselors which was life changing. In our teen years, they built the first home on the north side of Lake McBride on McBride Point which was a barely passable dirt road with telephone poles in the middle. We slaved for a Thompson hamburger, clearing the land, lakefront, and painting, but life was good—fishing, hunting and picking up pine sticks. Baptized, married, and now her funeral to be at St John's Episcopal Church on Monday, May 22 at 3pm. Interment at Church of the Ascension in Carrabelle on Tuesday, May 23 at noon; followed by celebration at the Lewis Cottage at St. Teresa Beach where all our souls live. Charter members of Holy Comforter in 1953, members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Winter Park 1975-83, then returned to Franklin County where Mom had spent all the summers of her life and was an active member of Ascension for the next 34 years. She enjoyed living close to her siblings, who also retired to Franklin County with "sand in their shoes." The benefactors of her motherly love are Sarah Harrison, Kathy Whitehead (Scott), Fran Williams (Hugh), Lewis Harrison (Jane), Frank Harrison (Jill) and David Harrison (Jennifer), and her beloved 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren so far, and one of her beloved nieces, Mary Douglas Wilgus (Bob), who spent her high school years living with us and bringing joy to the Harrison clan. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers and sisters: George Lewis II, Cheever Lewis, Fran Rose, Jeff Lewis, Frank Lewis and Sarah Marxsen. She is survived by her brother, Bill Lewis, and numerous niece, nephews, cousins, and good friends, each precious to her. Like the good Girl Scout that she was, Mom left this world a better place than she found it. Her last words were of love for "so many people." She chose to "Go to God" and she did. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Church of the Ascension, PO 546, Carrabelle, FL 32322 or your favorite charity.

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Betty Lewis Harrison

December 31, 1923 - May 15, 2017