Kennetha Ann Harrison

Kennetha “Kay” Ann Bingman Harrison, 88, passed away on August 19, 2026, in Franklin, IN. She was born on a slightly warmer sunny winter day, February 12, 1938, in East Chicago, IN, with a rosy, colorful, spunky start and an angelic voice that would lead her to become a future strong matriarch of her family. Kay was the only child of her late parents, Irene Nicholas Bingman and Kenneth Bingman.

Kay met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Harrison, who recently died at the end of last year. They married on March 28, 1964, beginning a union of almost 62 years of love, friendship, and the joys of raising a family. Together, Kay and Chuck raised six children in Crown Point, IN, a feat that would gain her a lifetime achievement award, along with having over 45 foster children in addition to that. She was said to have ruled with an iron fist, a wooden spoon, and a macrame beaded keychain. There are even rumors of hitting the brakes in the station wagon at opportune times when arguments between the siblings were occurring that should not have been happening.

She and Chuck, along with their youngest child, Gail, moved to Florida in 1991. Kay worked in the dietary area of an assisted living home. She and Chuck enjoyed garage sales on the weekends and hanging out with many friends they met there, even special friends from England.

Kay was always very religious and sang in the choir at many churches she belonged to, including her last church in Paradise Island. She was an extremely artistic woman. Her craft room was packed from floor to ceiling with flowers, beads, grass, fake animals, bows, ribbons, and anything else you could ever imagine would make a beautiful centerpiece or arrangement of any kind. If anyone needed an arrangement, Kay offered to make the most beautiful vases, baskets, and arrangements imaginable. She made all the arrangements for her last church in Paradise Island and for the Scandinavian Club, which she and Chuck danced in for many years. When she and Chuck moved into assisted living in Florida, approximately 50 arrangements were given to residents there. She always had a kind word or a smile for everyone she was around. She stated her “bucky beavers weren’t great to look at,” which always brought out rounds of laughter from all around her. This showed more of her spunky, ornery personality.

Surviving Kay are her six children, Eric Harrison (Debbie), Judy (David) Wade, Joseph Harrison (Michelle), David Harrison, Tracy Harrison, and Gailyn Harrison. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Jennifer Dyer, Michaela Harrison Cerrillo, Briana Harrison Burriss, Noah Wade, Chloe Wade, Keilah Harrison Kang, and Anu Harrison; and two great-grandchildren, Uhiwailani Kang and Uluwehi Kang, who all brought her immense joy.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, whose arms she has already rejoined, and by her parents.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Harrison family.