Gerald Harrison

Gerald Emmett Harrison, "Jerry," 74, died in his home on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010, surrounded by his family, following a protracted illness. A native of Ettrick, he was born on Thanksgiving 1936, the third child of the late Emmett Nathaniel and Virginia Kitchen Harrison. A graduate of Petersburg High School and the University of Richmond, he served in the United States Army and U. S. Army Reserves. In 1958, he began a 34-year career with the federal government through the Department of the Army. Following an interesting career in computer science, in 1992, he retired from the Army Logistics Management College in Fort Lee as a supervisory computer specialist, at which time he was awarded the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. He was a long-time member of Ettrick Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and layperson. In 1996, he and his wife transferred their membership to Chester Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School. For many years, he played baseball and softball, and he loved to bowl, golf, and play poker. In 1973, he joined the Colonial Heights Lions Club, where for many years he enjoyed serving in several leadership roles. As a Lions Club member, he supported numerous efforts to assist those with visual impairments; therefore his eyes were donated to the Old Dominion Eye Foundation. He is survived by his soul-mate and wife of 53 years, Jean Sheffield Harrison; son, Chaplain Scott Harrison of Arlington; daughters, Cynthia Harrison Cole (Keith) and Geri Elizabeth Harrison; grandsons, Brody Stone Cole, Noah Alexander Harrison, and Nathaniel Kipp Cole, all of Chester; sister, Evelyn Harrison Barfield (Billy) of Petersburg; brother, William Larry Harrison (Bonnie) of Chesterfield; brother-in-law, Floyd V. Sheffield, Jr. (Barbara) of Colonial Heights; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Harrison McDaniel, who died in 1987. A memorial service will be held in Chester Baptist Church on Saturday, December 4th, 2010 at 11 o'clock, conducted by Dr. Lloyd Braswell, minister of Chester Baptist Church and Dr. Herbert O. Browning, Jr., minister of Huguenot Road Baptist Church. A reception will be held immediately after the service in the church Great Hall. The family is appreciative of the tender living care provided by the staff of Odyssey Hospice. He was a person of great faith, who filled the lives of his family and many friends with love, compassion, and joy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chester Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 4317 School Street, Chester, VA, 23831. The family is being served by E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, Colonial Heights. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.