Alma Connor Harrison, 1930-2014

Alma Connor Harrison, 1930-2014

TIMMONSVILLE - Alma Louise Trussell Conner Harrison died on Friday, Jan. 31, 2009 after complications from a broken hip. A family visitation will be held at 10 AM on Monday, February 3rd, 2014 at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church and followed by a celebration of her life at 11 AM, directed by Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville, SC.

Alma was born March 14, 1930, in Sandersville, GA to the late James Herman Trussell and late Sallie Mae Blount Trussell. She is predeceased by her first husband, Darrell L. (D.L.) Conner, Sr. of 42 years of marriage. She also is predeceased by her second husband Col. Don Benton. She then reunited and married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Harrison who died in 2004. Being the youngest of four sisters, in Heaven she now joins Mrs. William E. (Inez) Berne, Mrs. Ed (Sara Frances) Rabon, and Mrs. B.C. (Ena) Ballentine.

She is survived by her four natural children and spouses, Darrell L. (Chrissy) Conner, Jr , Julie Conner (Jerry) Gage, Ronald H. (Ann) Conner, and W. David (Laura) Conner, all of Florence, SC and a step daughter, Linda (Larry) Brady of San Diego, CA. She also leaves a special friend, John McInnes of Florence, SC. Alma is separated temporarily from her nine grandchildren, Dal Conner of Charleston, SC, Drake Conner, Christopher Conner, Natalie Smith (Jon) Mahaffey, Jilian Smith (Brandon) Herrington and, Ben (Jordan) Conner, Daryl Leigh Conner, Sydney Conner and Camryn Conner, all of Florence, SC, 6 great grandchildren, Maddy, Evie, Zelle, Margaret, Liam and namesake Emma Louise to be born this month, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Alma was a graduate of McLeod Infirmary
Nursing School as an RN in 1950.

A graduate of McLeod Infirmary Nursing School as an RN in 1950, she was a long and active member of the First Baptist Church of Florence, SC. She worked with Dr. Julian Price as a nurse and then later as a public health nurse in Florence, Clarendon, and Darlington Counties. She received her BS Degree in Nursing in 1964 from her beloved University of South Carolina.

Often seen dressed in garnet and black colors, she was a faithful follower of Gamecock football. She taught nursing in the RN program at Francis Marion College and then at Florence Darlington Technical College where she taught RN's and other nursing programs. She also taught vocational nursing classes at Timmonsville High School.

Always with a passion for the garden and flowers, Alma’s energy lead her to purchase Quick’s Florist and Gifts in 1970 opening several stores in both Florence and Timmonsville. She expanded by starting Sid’s Wholesale distributing to retail florist throughout the Pee Dee. She belonged to two Garden Clubs and often received awards for her floral arrangements. She was often heard saying she was happiest when she had her hands in the dirt. She truly had a green thumb.

Her exuberance for life kept her involved in conservative politics and social issues on a local and state level. Up until recent months, she has enjoyed traveling state side and abroad, and living between Florida’s west coast and Timmonsville. She was currently a member of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Gilliam Skinner of Florence and Dr. Leland McElveen of Columbia, SC for their wonderful care for Mrs. Harrison over the years.

Due to her love of flowers, in lieu of memorials, send flowers.

The Dash Poem (Read by Author) www.Linda-Ellis.com

Alma"s "dash" was filled with family, community, love, and laughter.

Please share your Alma stories here in the comments below so they can be preserved for the family and community so we may all fondly remember our friend, Alma Conner Harrison.