Emily Eaton Harrison

HARRISON, EMILY EATON (1912 ~ 2012). The following is an obituary for Emily Eaton Harrison, spouse of William Arch Harrison. The obituary was provided by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.

Emily Harrison, the widow of former State Insurance Commissioner and City of Austin Finance Director William A. Harrison, died at the Summit at Northwest Hills on October 10. She was 100.

Mrs. Harrison was born on September 22, 1912 in Waco, Texas to Richard B. and Emily E. Harrison. She met her husband when both were students at The University of Texas. Because they both had the same last name, they started calling each other "cousin." When they were married, on August 5, 1933, she did not have to change her name. They were married for 61 years, until Mr. Harrison's death in 1994.

Except for four years during World War II, the Harrisons resided in Austin. They raised three sons, all of whom graduated from The University of Texas. In 1946 Mrs. Harrisonjoined the "Young Matrons" Sunday school class (now the Susannah Wesley Class) at the First Methodist Church. She attended the class faithfully for more than 60 years, until just a few months before her death.

Mrs. Harrison enjoyed participating in the State Officials Ladies Club, volunteering in various school and church projects, and in later years painting with oils, but her main interests, to which she was devoted, were her husband and family. She is survived by her three sons—William A. Harrison Jr. of Vienna, Virginia, John R. Harrison and wife Frances of San Antonio, and Charles D. Harrison and wife Sherry of Austin—and by grandchildren Lisa Harrison Hanson, John R. Harrison Jr., and Emily Harrison Liljenwall of San Antonio; Chris Harrison, MD, William E. Harrison, and Stephen M. Harrison of Austin; and Mary Ann Harrison Holland of Walnut Creek, California. She also leaves nieces Toni Ponton Morris of Kerrville and Gail Hibbetts Rash of Austin, nephews Richard K. Harrison of Houston and Charles M. Hibbetts of Austin, and nine great grandchildren.

She will be buried next to her husband in the Texas State Cemetery. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, at First United Methodist Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers friends who wish to may send a contribution to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78759 or the First United Methodist Church of Austin, 1201 Lavaca, Austin, TX 78701.