Mary Lou Harrison

She had a beautiful singing voice and took voice and piano lessons. In addition, Mary Lou sang in the choir, even as a lead singer, at Saint Mary's Free Will Baptist Church.

Mary Lou met Charles Preston Harrison, and they fell in love and married. The Navy sent him to Hawaii; Mom always joked that was the reason she said yes. They moved to Pennsylvania where Janine was born. When Dad transferred to the Merchant Marines, they moved back to New Bern. That is where Ken was born at St Luke's Hospital.

Together they were able to spend time with their relatives. They moved to Bel Air, MD where Mary Lou learned to play bridge and loved to bowl. During her time there, Mom developed many wonderful friendships.

After Preston's retirement, they purchased a campground in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. All of us thought that this would be devastating for our mother; however, this became our very own 'Green Acres'. Mom thrived at Crazy Horse! We would giggle that she was Lisa Douglas because of her elegance and class. Everyone loved working with her.

After selling the campground, they returned to the New Bern area and joined the Carolina Pines Golf Community. Mary Lou got back into playing bridge, spending time with her friends, and playing golf. When it came to playing Bridge, Mary Lou played high-level Bridge against Master's frequently because she enjoyed the competition. She loved her grandkids, Brandon and Amanda and fortunately was able to know her great-grandchildren.

Our mother was wonderful at many things, but most importantly she will always be remembered as a loving wife, caring mother, devoted grandmother and great-grandmother.

Leaving behind to honor Mary Lou's life and legacy are her loving children, Kenneth Harrison and Janine Harrison; grandchildren, Brandon Sandlin Bliss and Mary Amanda Flynt; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Bliss, Cason Sandlin Bliss, Kaeden Flynt, Zaeden Flynt, Cullen Bateman, Taylor Ramsey, and Reagan Gray; brother, Walter R. Sandlin Jr; niece, Joyce Sandlin Tyndall and her daughter, Christina Tyndall; and many loving family members and close friends.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles Preston Harrison and sister-in-law, Marilyn Sandlin.

A visitation and reception will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Cotten Funeral Home. A celebration of Mary Lou's life will begin at 2:00 pm with Rev. Angel Lorton officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest beside her husband at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Mary Lou Harrison.