Nelva Harrison's Obituary
Nelva Sue Harrison was born on a farm in Hopkins County in East Texas to Wayndlle and Pauline Johnson. At the age of two, her family moved to Dallas where her father became one of the first streetcar drivers. She graduated early from Woodrow Wilson High School (Jan ’53) and married the love of her life, Billy Harrison, at the age of 17. They moved frequently during the early years, always getting involved in church and making life long friends. In 1967, they returned to the Dallas area, making Richardson home to continue raising their family, two daughters and a son. After Bill’s death in 1984, Nelva worked with her daughter, Debbie, for over 30 years in their accounting and tax practice. Nelva was devoted to Dallas First Assembly of God Church where she led the women’s ministry team for many years. She had a passion to serve, whether a church dinner, wedding or baby shower, or work day, mentoring young women along the way. She loved to sing in the choir and carried a song in her heart. Nelva was blessed with a host of friends and family. She was quick to say “YES” when invited to travel. She traveled the world including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Korea, Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, England, France, Italy, Germany, and more. She also traveled all over the United States. Nelva was gifted with creative talents. She sewed all of her daughter’s clothes up through their college years. Nelva tackled drapery design, hat making, cake decorating, floral arrangement, stained glass, cooking, and home decor. The blessing to our family was that she passed along these skills to daughters, son, granddaughters, grandson, and their friends, working along side to teach them. Her grandchildren want you to know how special she thought they were. She loved each one of them and appreciated their unique personalities. She loved to attend the softball games, volleyball games, school performances, or just spending time with them. Nelva was one of those rare people who never complained, always had a kind word, and was always thankful and appreciative. In the words of a dear friend, Ginny Redfearn… What a blessed legacy our family has! Her life is living out in hundreds of lives, therefore, all of us have been touched by this beautiful woman. A true “Lady” in every sense. Nelva was preceded in death by, Husband, Billy Orwood Harrison, and her parents, Wayndlle P. Johnson and Pauline Moore Johnson She leaves behind daughter, Pamela and husband Bruce Courtney, daughter, Deborah and husband Larkin Crutcher and son, Billy Harrison and wife Dianne; brother, Paul Johnson and wife Janey, brother, Jimmie Johnson and wife Kay; grandchildren, Devin Crutcher, Leah and husband Preston Collich, Kiely Harrison, Kennedy Harrison, and Bruce James Courtney. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 12, 2017, from 6:30 to 8:30 at Dallas First Assembly of God located 11000 Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75238. Service for Nelva will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at 11:00 AM Dallas First Assembly of God located at 11000 Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75238. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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