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Mattie Harrison Obituary
"Mattie" as she was affectionately known, an extraordinary woman, was received home suddenly by her Heavenly Father to eternal rest, Wednesday, May 26, 2010. An angel truly received her wings.
She accepted Christ at an early age where she joined and was baptized at First Baptist Church Newport News, now First Church of Newport News (Baptist). She loved her church, pastor and members and always had an infectious laugh or smile whenever approached by others.
She was educated in the Newport News Public School System, graduating in the Huntington High School Class of 1944. She loved her class and all of its history and actively participated and enjoyed their many activities throughout the years. She also attended many hours of college curriculum to attain certifications in dietary studies from various colleges in Virginia and in North Carolina.
Her career began at McDonald Army Hospital, Fort Eustis, Va., where she worked for more than 41 years, as a dietetic technician, retiring Oct. 31, 1990.
Mattie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas Harrison, whom she enjoyed a wonderful life until the Lord took him home Nov. 9, 2007; late husband, Nelson Baker Sr.; brother, Robert Moore; sister, Frances Bailey; and grandson, Robert Lewis Jr.
Her legacy of love will continue to live on in and through her three loving adult children, Nelson Baker Jr., Ella Nash (James) and Darnell Baker (Gladys-Gaskill); grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of loving relatives and friends.
A service celebrating her life's journey will be held 1p.m. Friday, June 4, 2010, at First Church of Newport News (Baptist), 2300 Wickham Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Arrangements are by O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mattie Harrison
Lavonta Henderson Jenkins
June 9, 2010
To Nelson,Sister and Uncle Darnell,
With deepest sympathy to your family.I wish I would have been able to be around her more.She will always be remembered.Stay strong.
michael horton
June 4, 2010
To the baker family, my heart and prayers are with you during your period of bereavement.May god continue to bless your family . Love you guys, the Horton family.
Ada Hamlett
June 4, 2010
Danell,Snooky and Ella my deepest sympathy to you and your family during your time of sorrow. Ada Darnelle's friend from 32nd street.
Diane Hatchett Hibbler
June 3, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
June 3, 2010
To Nelson,Sister,and Darnell,
My deepest sorrow in the lost of your beautiful mother. Ma Baker was a kind, loving, and giving person . She was a easy person to talk to, and she made you feel like you were special. The last time I talked to her we talked about both our lives, and our grand-children. Ma Baker gave me some good advice about my life. Just pray for strength, faith, and continue to love one another.I feel blessed in knowing such a loving person .
With Love,
Renee' Hudson-Henderson
Hampton, Va.
darnelle logan
June 3, 2010
darnell,snooky,ella may god bless you in this time of sorrow. she will always be remembered because of the person she was. god bless, tootsie/darnelle across the
street on 32nd.
Barbara Jones-Bowser
June 3, 2010
What beautiful things said and felt about Ms Mattie. Agreeing with everything said and I must say, she was blessed to be a blessing. I thank God for being in her presence. She treated everyone with love. Fond memories will go a long way. May God bless you all and have faith that you will see your mother and other family members one day.
June 3, 2010
Darnell and Family,
Although Ferenzo has known Ms. Mattie from childhood, it was through Gladys that I got to know and love Ms. Mattie. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Please accept our deepest condolences and may God bless you in this time of sorrow.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Debbie and Ferenzo Gainey
Browns Summit, North Carolina
Freddy Wells
June 3, 2010
Deepest Sympathy From The Wells Family.In Memory Edna C.Wells HHS Class Of '44'..Freddy Wells & Family
Chris Shipley
June 3, 2010
To Ms Mattie's Family:
I met your mom years ago at the Fort Eustis hospital - what a very nice lady. I will always remember her gracious smile. May you and your family find comfort during this difficult time. God Bless each one of you.
DEE ROBINSON
June 3, 2010
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN THIS TIME OF NEED
Watson McDaniel
June 2, 2010
Mattie I miss you so
Gladys,Judy, Liz, Maglenda
June 2, 2010
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010
RONALD&BEVERLY JOHNSON
June 2, 2010
MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL OF YOU STRONG.
NIKKI PALMER
June 2, 2010
MISS YOU GRANDMA
shirley johnson
June 2, 2010
To the bake family may god bless you all mrs bake was a very sweet lady and will be missed. THE Johnson Family.
shirley johnson
June 2, 2010
To the bake family may god bless you all mrs bake was a very sweet lady and will be missed. THE Johnson Family.
NIKKI AND JADAKISS PALMER
June 2, 2010
I MISS YOU GRANDMA.
June 2, 2010
Darnell,Gladys & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss.
I am praying that your faith will help you through this very difficult time and help you to know that God's purpose, whatever it may be, is at work. I pray that you will find the strength to get you through your grief and sadness.
Orlando & Lisa Gorham
Hampton VA
Marion Smith
June 2, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Grandma Mattie was a bright spot in my life. I remember her eating crabs with me to get me to go into labor with my son, Russell. She always let you know that you were loved and that she cared. I will truly miss her.
I Love You Grandma Mattie!
"Mary"
Pat & Shirley Patterson
June 2, 2010
Dearest Darnell, Sister and Family
Pat and I are truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother. Please know that we will keep you in our prayers and you are always in our hearts. We pray that you can hold on to the love and memories your mother shared with each of you.
Love always,
Pat and Shirley Patterson
Vicki Morgan
June 2, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Our deepest sympathy, Vicki, Chris, Danny, Emma, Nicole and Preston (Morgan-Harris-Lewis)
Andrew Williams
June 2, 2010
"To the Baker Family, our condolences and prayers are with you during this difficult time and may God place his loving hands upon you and give you the peace that surpass all understanding." Andrew Williams & Family
Barbara McDaniel
June 2, 2010
We are deeply saddened by the recent amd sudden passing of our beloved friend Mattie Harrison. We will miss her illuminating smile and that laughter that resonated throughout the neighborhood. We love you Mattie. May God Bless you and your family in this hour of sorrow
Lamishya Mayes
June 2, 2010
Hi Ma I ride by your street still in disbeilf that you're gone dancing. My life was truely brighten by knowing you. Thank you for adopting my family and I as your own and for entrusting us with your heart and home. We will forever miss you and forever love you.
Thank you for all you have done for us and the countless conversations we had on the porch and the history that you gave. I loved our talks especially when it rained. I will miss your laugh and the way you would clap your hands together when you were really tickled by something. I will miss your hugs and our talk of cornbread. We love you so much.
Love Lamishya aka Misha and family
To Sister and family thank y'all for being great children to Ma she talked about how good you all were and how much she loved all of you. You have my condolences and are in our prays...
Denise Tonkins
June 2, 2010
Ella,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family during your time of sorrow. Loving memories that you have will help you make it through the times to come.
Denise and Dionne Tonkins
Huntington High School Class '67
June 2, 2010
To Ella and Nelson and the entire Baker-Harrison families, the classmates of HHS Class'67 offer our deepest condolences during this transformation period. May the warmth of God's love shower around you all as you celebrate the life of your wonderful, spirited mother, Miss Mattie.
O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home
June 2, 2010
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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