Harrison, Sue Richey

Longtime Member Of 1st Presbyterian Church Devoted Many Years To Teaching Children

  • Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Sue Harrison
Sue Harrison

Sue Richey Harrison, 85, of Chattanooga Tennessee, died on May 16, 2016.

Mrs. Harrison is survived by three children--Sue Anne (Todd) Wells of Chattanooga, James Frank (Jan)Harrison III of Charlotte, NC and Deborah Harrison (Mitch) Everhart of Chattanooga, three sisters, Dorothy Sertel, Betty Smith and Wilma Dietzen, two brothers, Joe Richey and Bobby Richey and numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Mattie Richey, her sister Mildred Demars, and brothers, Raymond and Charles Richey.

Born April 6, 1931, in Harrison, to the late Rex and Mattie Richey, Mrs. Harrison was the sixth of nine children. A lifelong residence of Chattanooga, she graduated from Central High School in 1948 and afterwards worked as a lab technician of Erlanger Hospital until she married the late J. Frank Harrison Jr. in 1952.

The following year, she attended the Billy Graham Crusade at Memorial Auditorium and, there, invited Jesus Christ into her life. As a devout believer, Mrs. Harrison saw that her calling was to teach children the Word of God. She started teaching Sunday school, and, a year later, began reaching more children at her home through the Good News Club. For 10 years, Mrs. Harrison could be seen transporting children to her home for Bible study, picking them up at school and in the neighborhood in her red Volkswagen bus. She also taught third grade Sunday school classes for 26 years at First Presbyterian Church where she was a faithful member for over 63 years. Mrs. Harrison was also a longtime member and leader of the World Mission Prayer Group at the Chattanooga Bible Institute.

“I’ve always loved children, and it was a joy to teach them about God’s love for them,” she often said. In 1995, on her doctor’s advice, Mrs. Harrison gave up teaching. “That was not easy,” she said, “because I missed the children so much.”

Mrs. Harrison truly lived her faith and was genuinely selfless in her love and concern for others. On her own initiative, she distributed food and clothing to the needy during the holidays and throughout the year. In this way, she had numerous opportunities to minister and share God’s love. Mrs. Harrison was also uniquely prayerful in all situations, even seeking direction through prayer for the right parking spot.

In addition to her own children, Mrs. Harrison is the beloved grandmother to five grandchildren, Morgan (Jay) Everett, Caroline (Josh) Trammell, Carter (Ellison) Glenn, Thompson Wells and the late James F. Harrison IV and three great-grandchildren, Luke, Mac and Jane Everett. Her children and grandchildren thank her for choosing Jesus and allowing Him to be their source of hope, peace and truth.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at the Life Care Center of Chattanooga who have tended to Mrs. Harrison recently and over the past few years.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, 4016 Tennessee Ave. Visitation will precede the service starting at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: World Missions First Presbyterian Church.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

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