Deborah Harbison
Deborah Mae Harbison, 52, died Jan. 8, 2003, at Marion Manor.
Born July 7, 1950, at Strong City, she was the daughter of John J. and Margaret (Stephenson) Harbison.
Raised on the family farm in the Homestead community, Deborah attended the first five years of school at Cedar Point Grade School. She later transferred to Lowther Junior High School in Emporia and graduated from Emporia High School. She attended a vocational school in Topeka, learning several trades.
She worked for eight years in a either coin-operated OR laundromat in Emporia until ill health caused her to quit and move back to the farm. She lived with her parents until their deaths, then moved to Carriage Manor in Florence. She broke her hip in October 1999, and moved to Marion Manor.
Although she suffered from health problems throughout her lifetime, she accepted her limitations and enjoyed church, visiting with friends, and children. She especially enjoyed helping with children at Bible school and her nieces and nephews have fond memories of her reading to them and playing games.
Survivors include two brothers, Howard Harbison of Muskogee, Okla., and John Harbison Jr. of Florence; two sisters, Margaret Callen of Salina and Barbara O'Dell of Florence; an uncle, Alvin Stephenson of Lombard, Ill.; 12 nieces and nephews; and seven great-nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Friday at Prairie Grove Cemetery, Cottonwood Falls, with the Rev. Larry Timm officiating.
Bennie Holtsclaw sang "In the Garden," and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."
Honorary casket bearers were Michael O'Dell, Scott O'Dell, James Harbison, John Harbison III, and Jeffrey Callen.
A memorial fund has been established with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marion County.
