BLACKSTONE—Olivia Ball Carter Harrison, 98, formerly of Blackstone, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017.
She was predeceased by her husband, John Alexander Whitmore Harrison; and her parents, Charles Franklin Carter and Grace Pinckard Carter.
Born on November 14, 1918, at “Cedar Grove” in Northumberland County, she was raised in the Northern Neck and Washington, D.C. After graduating from Madison College, with a degree in home economics, she taught school at White Stone, Whaleyville and Blackstone and was a proud Blackstone Rams supporter. She was a member of Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Blackstone and was active in the United Methodist Women and the Mamie Westmoreland Sunday school class. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Gideon’s, the Society of the Lees of Virginia and a former member of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her three daughters, Patricia H. Cox (Tommy West), Anne Carter H. Dickerson (Wilson) and Mary (Pinckey) H. Sowers (Jimmy); five grandchildren, Carter D. Cosgrove (Chad), Patrick Cox (Stefanie), Will Dickerson (Melanie), Trey Sowers (Stephanie) and Lt. Alex Sowers, USN; seven great-grandchildren, Olivia, Genevieve, Aiden, Henry, Madeline, Ellie and John Wilson (“JW”). Olivia is also survived by her cousins, Elizabeth Grillo, Richard Joyner, Louis Hammock, Nancy Clark and Jeff Chase and her sisters-in-law, Emily H. Dabney, Hope H. Mitchell (Ben T.) and Edna M. Harrison.
She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Jennings Cox; her sisters-in-law, Martha H. Moody, Lois H. Littlejohn, Annie I. Harrison, and Virginia F. Harrison; and her brothers-in-law, O.L. Harrison, B. Francis Harrison, Sydney Meade Harrison, Maxey Moody, Ernie Littlejohn and Fred Dabney.
A wonderful cook, artist and gardener, her style was exhibited in her gracious home and her flair for fashion. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, with visitation and reception following the service at the church. Interment followed at 1:30 p.m. at Butterwood United Methodist Church, 2411 Darvills Road, Blackstone, VA 23824.
In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Crenshaw United Methodist Church, 200 Church Street, Blackstone, VA 23824; or to the Gideon’s International, P. O. Box 104, Nottoway, VA 23955.
Arrangements by Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, Blackstone. www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com
