Obituary - Elsie Ophelia Harrison
Elsie Ophelia Harrison was born on September 30, 1945, to the late Jesse Wilson, Sr. and Fannie Wilson in Lawrenceville, Virginia. She peacefully departed this life on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Yama Services, Mechanicsville, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel R. Harrison, Sr., her granddaughter, Sameyah Harrison, and two brothers, Jesse Wilson, Sr. and Donald Wilson, Sr.
Elsie attended James Solomon Russell High in Brunswick County, class of 1963, and was on the cheering squad. She was baptized at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, VA. In 1963 she married Samuel, they made their way to Richmond, and to this union three children were born. While in Richmond, she attended Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church on occasion.
Elsie’s love for helping people led to her career in nursing. She started working at St. Mary’s Hospital (now Bon Secours St. Mary’s) in 1965. Later in life, she enrolled in a Licensed Practical Nurse program and received her license in 1989. She also worked at Stuart Circle Hospital, Lakeside Manor Nursing home, and Henrico Doctor’s Parham. She retired from St. Mary’s after 50 years of service, and Henrico Doctor’s after 15 years of service, in 2015.
Elsie was a loving and generous person and would help those in need. This included keeping her home open to family members that needed a place to stay. She enjoyed supporting The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program by adopting an angel and providing gifts to those in need. In her free time, she liked getting her hands dirty by planting flowers and herbs in her yard and keeping hot food on the stove. She frequently received special requests for her famous chicken salad, mac and cheese, collard greens, and candied yams. She always looked forward to going on shopping trips to Redding Pennsylvania, hitting the casino in Atlantic City, and attending birthday and Super Bowl parties. Elsie, affectionately known as “GaGa”, supported her children and grand-children throughout her life and will be greatly missed.
Elsie is survived by her children: Cassandra H.Taylor, Brenda L. Mallory (Lynn), and Samuel R. Harrison, Jr.; siblings: Harriet Haden, Virginia Taylor, Melinda Simmons (Thomas), Cynthia Wilson, Barbara Wilson-Thomas (Barry), Linwood Wilson (Tara); grandchildren: NaTonia Harrison, Marcus Taylor, Tiara Reid (Reggie), Samira Harrison, Maya Mallory, Samuel R. Harrison III, and Leila Harrison; seven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Norma Wilson; brother-in-law: Sylvester Harrison; aunts: Evelyn Wilson and Helen Guthrie; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where viewing will be held Thursday, February 19 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, February 20 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Interment Roselawn Memory Gardens.
