Josephine Harrison

Josephine (Jo) Helen Vecera Harrison was born February 14, 1910 in Strawn, Texas. She was the 4th of 12 children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Vecera. Jo grew up on a farm in Foard County, TX and attended Crowell schools. She graduated from Crowell High School in 1927. From there she continued her education and graduated from Wichita General Hospital Nurses Training School on May 12, 1930 as a Registered Nurse. From 1930-1932 she continued her nursing education at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA. In 1932 she moved to Breckenridge, TX to begin an assignment at the local hospital. While in Breckenridge she met her future husband, James Claude (J.C.) Harrison. The two were married May 28, 1932 in Altus, OK.

Jo took leave from her nursing career to tend to her family. Due to JC's job they moved to Wickett, TX where their daughter, Helen Josephine, was born in nearby Monahans. When WWII broke out Jo returned to nursing at Pyote Air Force Base in 1942 treating the workers who were building the base. Jo was the lone Night Nurse in the Infirmary; she chose the overnight shift in order to still care for her young family. Between 1950 and 1958 the family moved to Kermit, TX and Andrews, TX where Mrs. Harrison continued her nursing career as a private nurse. In 1958 they moved to Roswell, NM where they remained until their retirement in 1972. While she maintained her active registered nurse status through May 27, 1994, she no longer practiced nursing after the move to Roswell. Their final move brought them home to Texas where they settled in the lovely Hill Country town of Burnet.

Jo lived her life in service to her family, friends and her community. Among her many activities were memberships in various church and service organizations. She joined the Monahans Chapter (#561) of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) in 1938. In 1940, she was a charter member of the Woman's Society of Christian Service in the United Methodist Church in Wickett, TX. In 1950, she became a Charter Member of the Monahans Chapter (#142) of The Social Order of the Beauceant. In 1951, she was awarded the "Grand Cross of Color for Distinguished Services" by the Supreme Assembly of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, that organization's highest honor. In 1973, she transferred her OES membership to the Burnet Chapter (#425) where she obtained her Life membership status. She was an active member of the chapter repeatedly earning “A” Certificates at the schools of instruction and held many offices including Worthy Matron. In addition to her work with the OES she joined the Daughters of the Nile, Ruh Neb Temple (#64) in 1975. One of her favorite activities was sewing gowns for the young patients at the Shriner's Hospitals. She was also a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church. She could always be counted on to lend a helping hand at the various fund raising events.

In addition to her service she also enjoyed arts, crafts, gardening and baking. Through the years she painted, threw pottery, sewed, embroidered and quilted. She was a member of Burnet Creative Arts and was a featured "Artist of the Month" on several occasions. Her love of flowers garnered her 2 "Burnet's Best Bluebonnet Yard" awards from the Chamber of Commerce. Her chocolate pudding with marshmallows was her grandchildren's favorite dessert.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings and her loving husband of 67 years, J.C. Harrison.

Josephine is survived by her daughter, Helen Harrison Wilder of Houston; Grandson Tony Glenn Wilder of Houston; Granddaughter Misty Lee Wilder Yarneau and husband Herman Glen Yarneau, of Pearland, TX. Her Great grandchildren are Brenna Heather Wilder, Brittany Alyssa Wilder, Shannon Jessica Wilder, Sharra Michelle Wilder, and Trevor Austin Wilder of San Marcos, TX and Christopher Glen Yarneau and Alexis Noel Yarneau of Pearland, TX.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 23 at 6 PM at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet, TX. Graveside services will follow on Saturday, May 24 at 10 AM at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park. Dee Blue and members of the Burnet Chapter of OES will conduct the graveside services. Condolences may be offered to www.clementswilcoxburnet.com