Ronalda Harrison

Graveside services for Ronalda “Nell” Harrison will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday morning, May 20, 2023, at the Cliburn Cemetery in Silver Creek. Rev. Derek Chance will officiate, assisted by Rev. Danny Forrest. Mrs. Harrison, 92, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord May 3 at her residence in Silver Creek.
Mrs. Harrison was born on April 22, 1931, in Silver Creek to Rowan and Fannie Martin Stephens. She attended school in New Hebron and as a teenager with a small amount of money but great aspirations, moved to Los Angeles, Calif. It was here that she began her career as telephone operator, initially with the Bell Telephone Company. During this time, her husband, James F. White, a serviceman, served at several different military bases including Ft. Hood, Texas; Ft. Riley, Kan.; Ft. Polk, La.; and Ft. Greeley, Alaska. With each call of duty, the young Nell and her children would move with her husband, where she would also work for the telephone department of the military base. Its notable that of all their travels, she loved Alaska the most. The “last frontier,” as it is referred to, held a special fascination for her; so much that even at the present she was still subscribed to “Alaska Magazine.”
In 1971, Mrs. Harrison moved back to the family farm in Silver Creek that she loved so much. Whether it was listening to the birds sing their song of morning as she worked in her flowers or gathering vegetables from her garden, Mrs. Harrison was perfectly content on her beloved farm that has been in her family for many generations. Her days – full of canning vegetables, quilting, sewing for the children, and taking an occasional trip to the pond to fish – defined “country life at its finest.” Her family remarks that she also looked forward to the holidays when all the family could gather in. Memories of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the bounty of food she prepared – especially her delicious chicken and dumplings – will live on for many years to come. Mrs. Harrison was a beloved member of Crooked Creek Baptist Church.
Until her retirement, she held several positions at local companies, including office manager at State Farm, office manager at Sears, and garment inspector at Kellwood Industries, all in Monticello. In addition, she and her husband also owned a Texaco Station in Georgetown. Loved by all who knew her, she will be missed by her family as well as her many friends.
The family would like to thank St. Luke Home and Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Mrs. Harrison.
Mrs. Harrison was preceded in death by her parents, Rowan and Fannie Martin Stephens; her husbands, James F. White, Bryan Dunagan, George Harrison; her daughters, Syble White and Janet Schmidt; her brother, Clinton Stephens; and her sister, Modena Terry.
Her memory will forever be cherished by her son, Rodney White (Robin), of Silver Creek. The legacy of their Nannie will also live on through her five grandchildren, Kimberly Williams, Lindsay Renner, Jennifer Renner, Travis White, and Ryan White; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Mrs. Harrison also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews.