Sandra Smitha Harrison

Sandra Kaye Smitha Harrison was born October 26, 1942, to the parentage of Preston and Bettie Keys Smitha in Belton, Texas. Sister Harrison accepted Christ
at an early age and united with Magnolia First Baptist Church, Belton, Texas. Sandra received her early education in Belton Public Schools. She graduated from T.B. Harris
High School, Belton, Texas in 1960. She later attended St. Phillips College, San Antonio, Texas. Sandra worked as a secretary for the Engineering Department at Texas Power and Light Company for twenty years. She worked as a teacher's assistant for the Temple Independent School District's South Campus, the Teen Pregnancy Program at Temple High School, and she taught Temple College Adult Education for over five years.
Sandra married Roscoe Conklin Harrison, Jr., on August 27, 1966, and their partnership spanned 55 years. She began her church involvement at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Temple, Texas, later becoming an active member of Eighth Street Baptist Church, where her husband served as pastor. At Eighth Street, Sandra assumed numerous responsibilities with unwavering dedication and commitment. As first lady, she served as Mission I President for thirteen years, taught Vacation Bible School, participated in the adult Sunday school Class, and she was deeply engaged in her church prayer group.
Sandra also contributed to various leadership roles; she waws former vice-president of Ministers' Wives and Widows and first vice-president of the Women's Auxiliary within the Texas State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc. She provided steadfast support to outreach programs such as the Women's Auxiliary Prison Ministry, Angel Tree, and the Prison Ministry Camp. Additionally, Sandra served as president of the Women's Missionary Union (WMU) within the Willow Grove Baptist District Association,
demonstrating her commitment to community service and ministry leadership.
Sandra strongly supported Feed My Sheep. She served as chairperson for the debutantes of the Ebony Cultural Society and was a longtime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). All of Sandra's contributions are too many to list, she was willing to serve in all of the aforementioned positions with a kind and sweet spirit that she always attributed to God.
Mrs. Sandra Kaye Smitha Harrison was preceded in death by her parents, Preston and Bettie Keys Smitha; her husband, Pastor Roscoe C. Harrison, Jr.; brothers, Jessie T. Smitha (JT), Delma Smitha, and Preston Smitha, Jr.; sisters, Bettye Pearl Wilson, Vera Boles, Doris Jagoe, and Wilma Kelton; and son-in-law, Jamel Paul Jones.
She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Corinne Jones of Temple, TX; one brother, Billy Joe Smitha (Monica) of Belton, TX; three grandchildren, Michael Burgess, Jr., Jaidyn Burgess, and Ja'Coryn Jones; one great-granddaughter, Loudyn Michelle Cortez; and a host of relatives and friends.