Clarence Everett Harrison, Sr.

Clarence Everett Harrison, Sr., age 87. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and died January 8, 2010 in Portsmouth, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Robert Henry Harrison and Arra Goodwin Harrison of Raleigh. A 1939 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Everett also graduated from the Apprentice School at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He was a veteran of World War II in the Atlantic Theatre. After the war, Everett served as an engineer on the Washington Boat before returning to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, from which he retired in 1975 as a Production Controller after 35 years of service. He was a member of Court Street Baptist Church for 71 years, serving as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, a Deacon, and a long-time member of the Property and Baptismal Committees. He was a member of Portsmouth #100 for 63 years, and was Worshipful Master in 1966. He also served for many years as the Secretary of the Masters-Wardens-Deacons Association of the 34th Masonic District, and was a charter member of the Portsmouth Scottish Rite bodies. In retirement, he was involved with Project Liberty and the restoration of the S.S. John W. Brown. He spent many enjoyable hours collecting DeLaval cream separators and antique Aladdin oil lamps, and frequently displayed his collection of antique farm machinery at Chippokes Farm Museum and the Virginia State Fair. Everett loved to travel, and especially enjoyed spending time in the mountains of western North Carolina and on the Outer Banks. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, photographer, student of astronomy, and was keenly interested in the latest electronic technology. He maintained a life-long interest in history, music, mathematics, and science, and loved to learn how things worked. Everett had a particular interest in steam engines, both in ships and in farm equipment, and often assisted in operating steam-driven farm equipment at Chippokes. Through the years, the companionship of his faithful dogs Buck, Lance, and Buddy was also important to him. Everett took loving pride in his family and is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret; his daughters, Barbara Harrison Bess and husband Philip of South Bend, Indiana and Florence Harrison Michener of Portsmouth; his son, Clarence Everett Harrison, Jr. and wife Christy of Suffolk; his six grandchildren Jennifer, Peter, and Alexander Bess and Megan, Kelsey, and Caylan Harrison, his brother, Henry Harrison of Suitland, Maryland, his sister, Grace Harrison Marshall of Annandale, Virginia, and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brothers Louis and Robert, by his sister Rachel, and by his granddaughter, Hilary Anne Bess. Everett's funeral will be Tuesday, January 12, at 11 AM at Court Street Baptist Church, with Masonic Rites. Dr. L. Wilbur Kersey and the Rev. William Parker will preside. Burial will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Visitation will occur on Monday afternoon from 5 to 6 PM at Loving Funeral Home in Churchland.