Katharine Spruill Harrison

Katharine Spruill (Kate) Harrison, a life-long resident of Rocky Mount, NC, died peacefully, surrounded by her four children, on May 30, 2014 at the age of 97. The family will receive friends at her home, 109 Cobblestone Court, on Monday, June 2 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd with burial following at Pineview Cemetery. Kate was the wife of the late William B. (Billy) Harrison . Born on September 14, 1916, she was the youngest child of the late Frances Philips and Frank Parker Spruill. She was predeceased by three older brothers: William W. Shaw, Frank P. Spruill, Jr., and Edward M. Spruill. Having attended Benvenue School until tenth grade, Kate graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1933, Saint Marys Jr. College in 1935, where she was student body president and Hollins College in 1937, where she was senior class president. After working several years as Alumnae Secretary at Saint Marys, Kate married Billy Harrison in 1940 and enjoyed 65 year of life with him, which she described as never dull. Besides being actively involved in raising her four children, Kate was a woman of many interests and talents. As a young woman she competed in and enjoyed horseback riding. She had a passion throughout her life for tennis, swimming, sailing, and gardening, and took up snow skiing in her late 50s. Kate was ahead of her time as a champion for equal access for women. She initiated and coached the first tennis team for girls in the Rocky Mount City Schools as well as promoted the first gym classes for girls. She also helped initiate lunch rooms in the elementary schools. She was an active Girl Scout leader for both of her daughters and participated with and encouraged her two sons in their Boy Scout activities. An active member of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Kate taught Sunday school and confirmation classes, served as president of the Episcopal Church women, and was the first woman elected to the Vestry. A regular contributor to many social and political causes, Kate served on the alumnae boards of Hollins College and Saint Marys. She was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames in America , serving as a past Chair of the Nash County Committee. Kate and her husband Billy were both active community servants throughout their long lives. In her late 80s, she was Chair of the Finance Committee which raised money to start Down East Radio Reading Service as well as serving on the Honorary and Leadership Councils for the Beyond Imagination Capital Campaign for Saint Marys. Potential donors could not easily say “no” in the face of Kates dedication to her community and causes. Kates circle of friends was wide and she valued them greatly. She was beloved by those who knew her and had a unique ability to connect with people of all ages, who considered her ageless. She is remembered for her intellectual curiosity, her energy and enthusiasm, and her capacity to love and to accept differences. A lover of the arts and literature, she belonged to two different book clubs for more than thirty years and more recently to a movie club. She enjoyed researching and passing along family history and she liked to travel and keep up with what was going on in the rest of the world. She was appreciated for her generous and warm hospitality, which included annual Christmas open houses at 600 Evergreen Road, lively house parties for young and old on vacations in Maine, and many gatherings throughout the years celebrating special times with her family, friends and neighbors. Kate Harrison will be greatly missed by her family, her many close friends, and the communities she served. She is survived by her children, Frances Harrison Cronenberg of Auburn, AL, William B. Harrison, Jr. and his wife, Anne Stephens Harrison of Greenwich, CT, Frank S. Harrison and his wife, Josephine Vann Harrison of Rocky Mount, and Katharine Harrison Hardin and her husband James C. Hardin III of Rock Hill, SC. Her grandchildren are Tom Cronenberg and his wife Heather, Josie Harrison Brinkman and her husband Ethan, Kate Harrison, Anna Harrison, Christy Hardin and Jay Hardin. She has four great grandchildren, Parker and Elise Cronenberg, Harrison Brinkman and Elliott Hardin. She is also survived by two nieces, Anna Spruill Hammond and Florence Spruill Mackie and their families, and one nephew, Frank Spruill III and his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name can be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27802, The Kate and Billy Harrison Family YMCA, P.O. Box 4063, Rocky Mount, NC 27803, Down East Radio Reading Service, PO Box 8706, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or Saint Marys School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Visitation Location Not Available Monday 6/2, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Service Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 231 N. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-442-1134 --> | Tuesday 6/3, 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801