Florence Smith Cromartie Harrison

Florence Smith Cromartie Harrison, known as "Miss Florence", "Miss Cromartie", or "Mrs. Harrison" to her many students at Perry High School and The Westfield School passed away on Friday, May 16, 2014, at her home. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. at Perry Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will visit with friends after the service at the cemetery. Florence was born April 22, 1915, in Macon to the late Viola Riley Smith and William Smith. She spent her early years in East Point and earned her teaching degree at Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville. Mrs. Harrison was an educator; she began teaching at Perry High School in 1940, and after thirty years, relocated to The Westfield School, where she remained until her retirement in 1990. She constantly upgraded her teaching credentials and stayed on the front of continuing education throughout her teaching career. She taught English, literature, speech, and government, and influenced numerous young people to accomplish their highest dreams with confidence and assurance. She loved each of her students individually, and that love was returned to her by contacts from her former students throughout her long life. She educated many students over her fifty-year teaching career, was an inspiration to all who had any association with her as a colleague or student, and will be mourned by the educational community of Houston County. During her career, Florence served in many advisory capacities, including the school newspaper, school yearbook, and the Junior and Senior Class. She was faculty advisor for the Speech Club during her years at Perry High School and directed award-winning dramatic productions. Under her coaching, her one-act plays won many honors at District and State Literary meets. She was awarded various tributes during her teaching career and was named Star Teacher of the Year by several honored students. She was inducted into the Houston County Teacher Hall of Fame at the inaugural induction in March of 2007. Florence participated in assorted phases of civic, cultural, and religious life of the community. Her dramatic readings and oral recitations were highly sought after, and she enthusiastically entertained her friends and relatives with her impromptu presentations. For many years, she lovingly participated in the baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at her church; she devotedly prepared the participants and eagerly looked forward to each ritual as if it were her first ceremony. She was a member of Perry Presbyterian Church, the Houston County Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and many community service clubs during her lifetime. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Bob, Harry, Willene, and James; her sister Myrene; and her sisters-in-law, Laura Frances Harrison and Martha Harrison Odom. Mrs. Harrison is survived by her husband, Willis C. Harrison of Perry; her brother, Jesse H. Smith of Fayetteville; her brother-in-law, Harold Harrison (Carole Harrison) of Winter Haven, FL; her sister-in-law, Freda Hoff (Larry) of Macon; her sister-in-law Florence Brown (Curtis) of Honolulu, HI; her sister-in-law, June Harris (Benny) of Warner Robins; and her brother-in-law, Charles Harrison (Carolyn)of Grovania. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces and nephews. Condolences may be left for the family in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Tributes

Florence Smith Cromartie Harrison

April 22, 1915 - May 16, 2014