Patricia Ann Harrison Obituary

Patricia (Pat) Ann Harrison Obituary
February 12, 1951 – April 13, 2022

Patricia Ann Harrison was born February 12, 1951 in Athens, Georgia, to Mr. James Marion Harrison, Sr., and Mrs. Cornelia Barnard Harrison. She departed this life on April 13, 2022, in Athens, and was preceded in death by her father, brother James M Harrison, Jr., and nephews Edward B. Johnson and Marcus Johnson.

Pat was a lifelong Member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, and served in the Aerobics & Health Ministry, History Ministry, and on the Usher Board. For many years, Pat was instrumental in organizing the church’s Community Health Fair. She was a founding member of Project Renew, Inc, which was established to preserve and restore the historic Hiram House, the home of Ida Mae Hiram, Athens’ first black female dentist. Pat served as the liaison with Athens-Clarke County Unified Government for that effort.

Pat attended East Athens Elementary School, Lyons Middle School, and Clarke Junior High School, before graduating from Athens High School in 1969. Pat was in the second class of African Americans to graduate from what is now Clarke Central High School.

Following graduation, Pat was a student at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and later transferred to the University of Georgia in her hometown, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1975. Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, conferred upon her the Master of Business Administration degree in 1996.

Pat had brief stints in retail and law enforcement before she launched a 20-year career with BellSouth in Atlanta. She then worked in mental health counseling and community services before retiring from the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services in 2012.

Generous with her time, talent, and treasure, Pat volunteered with the Athens Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, and the Athens-Clarke County Greenway Commission, and was a generous donor to several causes.

Pat was a loving and devoted daughter, having served as primary caregiver for her mother for many years.

She was a kindhearted and caring friend to many, including lifelong friends Linda E. Davis, Dr. Gail Hurley, Marjorie Green, Janet Jordan, and Josephine Handy-Sewell.

Pat leaves to mourn her passing her beloved mother, brother Dr. Robert E. (Joyce) Harrison, sister Mrs. Jacquelyn (David) H. Mack, a host of nieces and nephews, beloved cousins, and friends. She also leaves to revere her memory godchildren, and nieces and nephews of the heart.