OTELIA BEATRICE BLACKWELL STORY-HARRISON

Our hearts were truly saddened, when God in His infinite wisdom summoned our beloved, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Mrs. Otelia Beatrice Blackwell Story-Harrison affectionately called "Ma, MaMa and Ms. Otelia" of 2022 Van Dorn Street, Petersburg, Va. She made her conversion from earthly life to eternal rest after completing 77 years of a wonderful life on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Bon Secours-St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Va., surrounded by her husband, Linwood; daughter, Judy and family.

Mrs. Harrison was born August 27, 1940, in Petersburg, Va., to the late Emily Mae Robinson and John Blackwell. As a child growing up she was loved and raised by the late Emily Mae Jackson and Willie H. Jackson, Sr.

She confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Petersburg under the leadership of Rev. L.C. Johnson. Mrs. Harrison always put God first in her life. She was an active and faithful member with over sixty years until declining health. She was active in the following: Children's Church, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Youth Ministry, Women's Conference/Ministry, Daycare, Bible Study, Pastor's Aide Ministry, Welcome Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Christmas Outreach, and Ushers Ministry. She also attended the Christian Learning Classes and was a model for the Annual Rainbow Tea Fashion Show.

Ms. Otelia graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1962, where she was crowned queen and a member of the Pep Club. She was married to the late Alfred L. Story, Jr. On September 25, 1982, she was united in holy matrimony to her soul-mate, Linwood Harrison.

She retired from Southside Virginia Training Center as Lead Worker with 35 dedicated years of service. Her strong sense of serving the community included: Walk for Hunger, Girl Scouts (Junior/Cadet Leader), Boy Scouts, 4-H, Queen Bee Red Hatters, Foxy Ladies and Pink Buddies, TRIAD, Voter Registration and The Salvation Army (bell ringer).

She enjoyed fishing, taking walks, cooking, baking, cake decorating, photography, sewing, music, decorating for every holiday, arts and crafts. She was an avid Washington Redskins fan and an impeccable dresser.

She was preceded in death by her son, Alfred Lee Story; daughter, Alfredia Story-Seymour; step-son, Timothy Harrison; mother and father-in-law, Viola and Joseph Harrison; sister, Delores Parham; aunt, Otelia B. Wiggins; and cousin, Estelle Shorter.

Mrs. Harrison leaves to cherish her loving and precious memories: a very devoted and loving husband of 35 years, Linwood Harrison of Petersburg; two daughters, devoted /best-friend and hanging partner, Judy R. Blackwell of Petersburg, and B. Michell McCray of Chapel Hill, N.C.; devoted son, Stafford M. Blackwell (Annette) of Petersburg; two stepdaughters, Cynthia R. Harrison Hayes (Earlon) of Norfolk, and Yolanda White (Travis) of Boston, MA; grandchildren, William Story of Chesterfield, Shenika Rankins (Charles) of Petersburg, Gregory Seymour, Jr. (LaToya) of Richmond, Temika, Soraya (Derrell) and Eboneé Seymour, all of Hopewell, Darnetta McCray of Atlanta, Ga., Donald Jr. and Malik McCray of Chapel Hill, N.C.; step-grandchildren, Monique and William Harrison, Mekia Collins and Imani White, all of Boston MA, Timothy and London Harrison of St. Paul, MI; great grandchildren, NaShanti Seymour, Vernayjah White, Kristopher and Antoinette Williams, Tyler Story, Matthew Raines, Khalil Seymour, Markell Graves, Saniya Seymour, Makayla Harris, Samaria Seymour, Jaiveon Williams, Samaree Seymour, Samarion Seymour, D'Juan Williams, A'Shyia Seymour, Jamyiah Seymour, Makayla McCray, A'Kyiah and I'yanna Sykes; step great-grandchildren, Raymond Collins, Savannah and Christian Harrison, Delteyo, Delveyontae and Desireyon Hayes; godchildren, Cynthia Washington, Kenya Taylor, Renee and David Rhodes, and Cherie Harris; brother, Major (Ret) Willie H. Jackson, Jr. (Mary) of Chesterfield, Va.; sisters, Celestine Jackson Taylor of Glen Allen, Deborah Howard of Petersburg, Dr. Winifred Jackson-Francis (Gary) of Clinton, Md.; brother-in-law, Joseph R. Harrison (Vanessa) of Petersburg; nieces, Vanessa Prosise (Herbert), Sandra Coleman, Marilyn Parham, Veronica Archer, Angela Ward (Christopher), Bridgette Williams (Derek), DeShawn Dunbar, Sarah Francis, Mattie Jackson, Jennifer Jackson, Donna Garrett and Janika Harrison; nephews, Rodney and Stanley Parham, Alvin Jr. and Charles Williams, Herbert Howard, Jr. (Kenya); devoted cousins, Curtis Crenshaw; cousins, Lucinda Pegam and the Jackson Family; extended family and friends, Cynthia and Wayne Washington, Dwayne Rhodes, Evelyn Warren, Ruth Giles, Florine and Carolyn Taylor, Rev. Barbara Hayes, Fran Perry, Carrie Stewart, Paige Harper, Carolyn Mayfield, Bonita Henderson, Randolph Howard and family, Zealier Fowlkes, the Spratley Family, Edward Brown and the Bunker Hill Community; a host of great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, family and friends too numerous to name.

A special thanks to Rev. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Rev. Jameson McLaughlin and the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Family, Rev. Dr. George W.C. Lyons, Jr. and Mrs. Lyons and the Gillfield Baptist Church Family, Rev. Jeffrey Dodson, Sr. and the Trinity Church of God In Christ Church Family, the doctors, nurses, staff and pastoral care team at St. Mary's Hospital, especially Chaplain Amy Holtz, Sheriff Crawford and the Petersburg TRIAD, SVTC former co-workers, Peabody High School Class of 1962 and other surrounding community churches.

Ms. Otelia was a "Phenomenal Strong Women" with a big smile, kind heart and giving spirit. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10 KJV

Service for Mrs. Otelia S. Harrison will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Avenue, Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Pastor, eulogist and Rev. Jameson McLaughlin, officiating. Interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2017, at the funeral establishment.

The family will assemble at 1 p.m. the day of the service at 1922 S. Westchester Drive, Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling (804) 862-4217. The family will also receive friends at 2022 Van Dorn Street, Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling (804) 861-9744.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Harrison at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.