MARY LOU HARRISON
1928-2021
The family of Mary Lou Harrison of Houston is saddened to announce her passing on Monday, December 13, at the age of 93. Mary Lou was born in Milburn, Texas, to Albert and Edna Minica.
During her early school years, Mary Lou’s father worked on a large ranch in the very small community of Knickerbocker, Texas. She related stories of riding her horse, Streak, to school (enduring many times being thrown off that horse into a dry creekbed). When things were especially difficult during the Depression, Mary Lou said their best meals were from the chuckwagon that came out to the ranch to prepare meals for the cowboys and their families. She attended the local community church and one year had perfect attendance for which she was awarded a new bible. She had that bible for the rest of her life and was so proud of it.
Mary Lou graduated from San Angelo High School and was a member of the last class in the state of Texas to graduate at the age of 16. During high school she worked as a movie theater usher at the grand Texas Theater thus beginning a life-long love of the movies. In her teenage years she wrote to the movie stars and built an extensive collection of their autographed pictures. Later she secured a job with Bell Telephone in San Angelo, starting as a switchboard operator working her way up to supervisor.
Mary Lou met and married Charles Melvin Harrison and they spent the following 55 years together. They raised their four children and traveled the world together. Mary Lou made more than 25 moves, mostly within Texas, but also to Oklahoma, California, Connecticut, New York and Libya.
Mary Lou had many interests but first and foremost she was devoted to her family, her friends and her home. Moving so frequently was not easy, especially with four children in tow during the early years. Mary Lou worked to get each child settled into their new community and to create a new home. She was very supportive of what each child chose to do. Whether an art or a sport, a group activity or individual, she encouraged each to pursue their interests and strive to achieve their goals to the best of their abilities.
Mary Lou became an avid traveler and thoroughly enjoyed her many adventures abroad with friends and family. She played bridge into her 80s and pursued her interest in photography for many years as well. She was a very talented seamstress, spending hours sewing beautiful dresses for her daughters. In later years she switched to embroidery work which she continued into her 90s.
Mary Lou was a true animal lover but she was especially attached to her cats. She served as past President of the Houston Cat Club and was an enthusiastic supporter for several years.
Mary Lou Harrison is survived by her daughters Carol Haenel, Jeanine Buckley (Randy) and Melanie Gonzales (Jesse), seven grandchildren, Todd, Lisa, Lauren, Rachel, Dillon, Katherine and Jacqueline, and two great grandchildren, Michael and Charlotte, numerous nieces and nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin, and son, Robert, as well as her parents and two brothers, Robert and Jack.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Silverado Hermann Park for welcoming Mary Lou with open arms and creating such a warm and welcoming environment. She so enjoyed all the activities and programs and her new friends there. She will be missed by us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family believes Mary Lou would be most appreciative of donations made to the Mel and Mary Lou Harrison ‘52 Engineering Scholars Program. Donation checks may be made payable to the TAMU Foundation and mailed to 401 George Bush Dr., College Station, Texas 77840.
Services for Mary Lou will be announced at a later date.