Mahalah Harrison

Mahalah Harrison

EVANS, Ga. – Mahalah Jane (“Aunt Halah”) Harrison of Evans, Georgia (formerly of Athens, GA), age 74, passed away at her residence on August 11, 2012, surrounded by her loved ones.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 11:00 until 12:30 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at The Church of the Good Shepherd with the Rev. Dr. J. Andrew Menger officiating. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at the Durden-Hudson Funeral Home in Swainsboro, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery in Wrightsville, GA.

Aunt Halah was born in Kite, GA on August 10, 1938. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Science in Home Economics from the University of Tennessee with a major in Child Development. She belonged to Alpa Xi Delta sorority. She was a Master Gardener. She belonged to the Dixieland Heisey Study Club, Heisey Collectors of America, CSRA Hydrangea Society and Athens Historical Preservation group.

All of her jobs involved improving the lives of children, whether it was nutrition, education, or basic life skills. The poor and the physically and mentally challenged were usually the focus of her work. She worked with the Florida Extension Service and was active with 4-H. At Florida State University she worked as a teacher for the preschool program. She did licensing for day care programs for the State of Georgia. She was a coordinator of a preschool handicapped program for several counties in NE Georgia, writing the grant proposal for the project. She was associated with Action Inc., a non-profit, community action agency addressing the needs of low-income citizens. She headed the nutrition program for various Head Start programs in northeast Georgia. Mahalah was associated with Hope Haven, Inc., of Athens, a community program for individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Georgia.

Aunt Halah loved gardening, cooking, pottery, glass, old houses, traveling, and animals, particularly dogs. Mahalah cherished her family and friends. She loved nothing more than going back to her home in Kite to visit. She was a farm girl and a world traveler. Her family cherished her sweet smile, her kind voice, and her constant attention. Mahalah’s friends universally agree she was “the best friend ever.”

Mahalah loved to camp and particularly liked the barrier islands of Georgia. The more remote the camping site, the better, but she always added her fine touch, once creating fine place settings from palm fronds and napkin rings made of tiny vines. While others might look for the big, obviously beautiful shells on the beach, Mahalah would sift through the sand for the tiny beauties. She generously shared her love of all things with everyone. She applied this attention to detail and the ability to see the gift in every little thing to her life and the people around her. Even as a young child, Aunt Halah could not understand prejudice. She wanted her farm playmates to eat with her at her table. She could not understand why they could not go school with her because she wanted to teach them to read. No one was too poor, of the wrong race, nationality, a different belief system or socio-economic group to be her friend. Education, income, IQ, and physical ability or disabilities were not the criteria she used to measure the value of an individual. She did everything she could to keep attention away from herself. Parties and celebrations in her honor were no-nos. Yet she was always ready to help others celebrate birthdays, retirements and other achievements. If she was involved in the planning or execution you could be sure it would be great, however small or large, casual or fancy. She gave credit to those around her. She worked hard on her jobs, her home, in keeping her family and friends dear. She was said to have only two speeds - on and off- whether at work or play. Our world will be a little less soft and warm without her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; James Wheeler and Frances Geneva Harrison of Kite, GA, brother; Gresham Hughel Harrison of Lawrenceville, GA, brother Dr. James Harold Harrison, of Bartow, Ga. and sister; Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Harrison Bryan of Augusta, GA. Survivors include: her best friend and the person who calls her “Sunshine,” Wayne Bland of Evans, GA; five nieces: Mary Bryan Robbins (Andy) of Evans, GA, Elizabeth (“Liza”) B. Kittle (Bill) of Martinez, GA, Dr. Jennifer R. Burdette (David) of Augusta, GA, Emily B. King (Dan) of Evans, GA, and Stephanie McLain (Marty) of Douglasville, Ga; three nephews: James Michael (“Mike”) Bryan of Augusta, GA, Sam Harrison (Peggy) of Lawrenceville, GA; and Scott Fitzgerald (Missy) of Evans GA; sisters-in-law: Leslie P. Harrison of Lawrenceville, GA and Sue W. Harrison of Bartow, GA; great nieces and nephews: Jacqueline Regan Tucker (Henry), Shannon Regan, Amanda Burdette, Matthew Burdette, Caroline Kittle, Will Kittle, Frances Kittle, Julia Kittle, Olivia King, Charlie King, Emma Grace King and Pete (“Kate“) Harrison; her three traveling companions: Mary Lou, Marie and Rosalee; and her beloved four-legged child, Polly.

Should friends desire contributions may be made to: CSRA Hydrangea Society, c/o Richard Rasmussen, Treasurer, 26 Weymouth Place, Aiken, SC 29803; Kite Homemaker’s Club, 2054 Montgomery St., Kite Ga. 31049; Kite First Baptist Church, P O Box 65, Kite, GA 31049; or your favorite animal charity. Condolences may be submitted on-line at WWW.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com