Obituary - Emily Louise Harrison
Emily Louise Harrison was born on May 16, 1942 in Valdosta, GA in Lownes County. She was the wife of the late Otis Harrison, a WWII veteran. She attended the Lownes County Public School system and when she moved to California, she graduated from Monterey High School in Monterey, California. She attended Macedonia Baptist Church and accepted Christ at an early age.
When she and her family moved to Norfolk, Virginia, she was a stay-at-home mother who taught her children how to read before they attended kindergarten. She took pride in preparing food for her family and friends. Most noteworthy were her crabcakes and chicken and dumplings. The family moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1969 where she later worked at Aetna Health Insurance Company as an insurance claims adjuster. She worked there until her children graduated and moved on
with their careers. She was called by her sister to help with their brother, Luke Kelley. He had been sick and needed care with his health and thus she returned back to Valdosta. Emily nursed him with care until his passing. She was called again by her sister to come to Palo Alto, California to help with her husband, Leroy who was in hospice care. She took this job very seriously as there were many responsibilities and she refused to let anyone down.
After her brother-in-law’s passing, she worked as an insurance claims adjuster at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, California. She was near both sisters and her nieces and nephews. She was encouraged to move back to the East Coast where her children and grandchildren lived. Once returning to Richmond, she began working as an instructional aide at Montrose Elementary in Henrico County. She enjoyed making a difference in the lives of the children. After her years at Montrose, she began to encourage people who came to her with problems at Publix Grocery Store in White Oak Village where she would tell others to trust in God.
Emily is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brother Luke Kelley.
She leaves to cherish fond memories her devoted daughter, Stephanie Williams, (Roger), her son Dr. Fred N. Thomas III, (Lea), grandchildren, Vaughn Williams, (Kelley), Devin Williams, Aaron Williams, (Angel), Kellie Williams, Vaughn Jr., Fred N. Thomas, IV, Jayda Williams, Peyton Thomas, Julea Thomas; four great grandchildren, Rai, Madison, Derek Jr., and Ava Marie, two sisters, Dr. Charlie Mae Knight, and Mary Cates, one brother, Milton Kelly, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Remains rest at March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., where viewing will be held Friday, September 4, 2026, 9:30 - 6:00 p.m. Celebration of Life service, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2026 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road. Interment, Oakwood Cemetery.
