Obituary

Services for Billie Jean Harrison, 80, of Abernathy, will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2009, in the Abernathy First United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Brownlow and Rev. Jimmy Nunn, officiating. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy.
The family will receive friends at Abell Funeral Home Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m.
Mrs. Harrison died Thursday, November 5, 2009, in Lubbock. She was born April 9, 1929 at County Line, to Sam Elmer and Vera (Tarver) Petty. She was a lifelong Abernathy resident and married Billie Harrison on February 27, 1949 in Abernathy. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was very active serving various duties. She enjoyed farm life and gardening with her husband, even after moving into Abernathy from the farm in 1965. She worked at Abernathy Floral when it was owned by her sister, Dorothy Stephens for over 30 years. She was very supportive of her husband and four son's activities, including band, athletics, and FFA, she was named as an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the FFA. She also supported her husband during the years of his school work. The Harrison's were chosen Abernathy's Farm Family of the Year for 1980 to 1981.
She is survived by her husband, Billie of Abernathy; four sons, Mark and Cindy of Houston, Lane and Frann of Norwalk, Conn., Kent and Emmy of Worthington, Ohio, and Jay and Lora of Ballwin, Mo. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Tessa Arblaster and her husband Lawrence of Round Rock, Lesley Harrison of College Station, Cole Harrison of Columbus, Ohio, Renata Harrison of St. Laurent, French Guiana, South America, Ruby Harrison of Madison, Wis., and Michelle Harrison and Kimberly Harrison, both of Ballwin, Mo.; one sister, Dorothy Stephens of Abernathy; and several special nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be sent to their favorite charity.