Winifred Imra Harrison

Surely there is a God who declares that even before we are formed in our mother's womb, He knows us and has a plan for our lives. Therefore, it was His Divine will and purpose as He looked through the years of 1926 to 2022 that He would need a women who would truly be a servant of God and a friend to mankind. So, He brought Felix Fitzgerald Watson of Colon, Panama, and Inez Louise Bogle of Spanish Town, Jamaica to Limon, Costa Rica where on the 19th day of March 1926 they received a beautiful baby girl who they named Winifred's Irma Watson. Winifred's early education was in the local schools of Limon, where she excelled in her studies. Pastor H.S. Walters suggested to her mother that for continuation of her education, she should attend the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) school system in Jamaica W.I. Just at that time her paternal grandmother, Agatha Watson, was migrating to Jamaica where she was enrolled at Kingsway High School in Kingston, Jamaica, under the professorship of Mr. Voysey Percy. On holidays from school, she would reside with the Watson family in Troja, and later in Cross Roads, St. Catherine. The Watson family worshipped as Jehovah Witnesses. However, while Winifred was attending Kingsway High School, she was also being exposed to Adventism. At some point, with the help of the Holy Spirit, she made the decision to follow the Adventist teachings. Although estranged from the Watson Family's way of worship, she found refuge at the Rollington Town SDA Church in Kingston, Jamaica. Her decision has been held steadfast throughout all her years. While living in St. Catherine, Winifred worked a number of years at the Citrus Factory located in Bog Walk. However, her great desire was to become a nurse. In 956 her father helped her to migrate to Brooklyn, New York where they resided at 411 Monroe Street. It was at this home that Winifred was united with sisters, Lesma, Thelma, and Norma. There, she finally had the opportunity to start her schooling to obtain her dream profession. Her mother, now Inez Louise Gordon, in order to aid her daughter in accomplishing her goal of nursing, returned from Panama to take care of Winifred's only child, Doreen Sandra Richards. She would also care for Harold Smith, a family member, who, due to death of his parents, was adopted. Wini later returned to Jamaica after a few years, to marry her friend of many years. Wycliffe H. Harrison, a tailor from Treadways, St. Catherine. Winifred studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Over the years of her practice, she worked at the Brooklyn Hospital and later at the DeKalb Hospital. After a few years Wini's family joined her and together they worshipped at the Hanson Place SDA Church in Brooklyn, NY. It was while attending Hanson Place that Sis. Harrison was assigned the task of Head Deaconess serving alongside Bro. Claude Jones, Head Deacon at that time. They served over many years and one of the highlights of their service was the annual Labor Day weekend fundraising trips to various destinations including: Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, and Newfoundland. They also ran similar trips to Hawaii. What Sis. Harrison might most well be remembered for was her scrumptious, tasty, Jamaican cooking. Some of these occasions were / for Sabbath luncheons, banquets, social occasions, & weddings, no matter the size of the gathering. She was later joined by her loving sister-in-Christ, Prisca De Jonge and together they became the dynamic duo in the kitchen. Aa result of an Evangelistic Crusade sponsored by the Hanson Place Church, the English family along with Sis. Harrison facilitated the running of the crusade where she provided the meals and other needs of the Evangelist. The Lord blessed the Evangelistic meetings and many souls came to a knowledge of Jesus Christ. To foster the growth of this new group of believers, they transferred their membership and helped to form what has become the Goshen Temple of SDA. Sis. Harrison carried on her ministry as Head Deaconess and Chief Hospitality leader. Assisting or leading out in the Deaconess / Hospitality Ministry was second nature to Sis. Harrison, so upon the family's relocation to Florida and attendance at the North Orlando SDA Church, she carried on that ministry until ill health by way of a stroke curtailed her efforts. Sacrificial service has always been her God-given gift. When she realized that she would be blessed with her first grandchild, she immediately set aside the completion of her nursing career to be the stay-at-home caregiver, for what would become her three grand-children. However, the result would be her providing exceptional childcare service for many, many more families who needed this ministry. This is how Grandma Harrison was blessed to touch so many lives for the kingdom and has left her greatest legacy and ministry. Once her career shift took place, East 56th St. would never be the same again. The entire street would be filled with double parked cars each Sabbath day as guests would arrive for fellowship dinner at the English/Harrison residence. Heaven alone will declare the benefits derived by the numerous lives touched by bearing witness to those gatherings. Neighbors who witnessed the gatherings became partakers that were solidified and molded in the Adventist faith. After her 95 birthday, she was unable to walk, even with assistance. As a result, she had to reside at the Advent Health Care Center-North. There she was very well cared for. Each Caregiver that assisted her, was deemed her favorite and they all said she always prayed with them. God, in her 96th year, decided to give her rest. Praise be to our God who does all things well! Her only medical issue at the time of her passing was her age and the fact that her body decided that it no longer needed nutrition for her earthly journey. After loving on and kissing on her favorite nephew, Valentino (Val), she fell asleep in Jesus at the close of the Sabbath day. She now awaits the blessed call of the Life Giver at the first resurrection, when the dead in Christ shall rise to meet the Lord in the air and so shall she ever be with the Lord. Preceding her in death are: Norma Aubert (Sister), Wycliffe H. Harrison (Husband), & Harold Smith (adopted Son). While we await the great reunion, she leaves to mourn her death: Daughter: Doreen English (Howard); Sisters: Thelma Tomlinson and Lezma DeSilva; Grandchildren: La Sandra English-Alves (Clayton), DeAnna English, James English (Kristina), Wanda Harris Lopez (Albert), Natasha, Tiffany &, Tyreik Smith; Great-grandchildren: Samuel, Catherine, Caitlin, & Caylah Alves, Seth Grey (Stephen), Jordyn & Kristian English, Santy Boothe; Godsons: Ludlow (aka Teddy) & Richard Symes; Watson family members: Donald Drummonds (cousin), Aurelia, Verna, Cecilia, Eneida, Sandra (nieces); Rogelio Valentino, Jaime (nephews); and a host of extended family, church family, and close friends.

Tributes

Winifred Imra Harrison

March 25, 1926 - November 19, 2022