Wanda Lillian Harrison

Wanda Lillian Harrison, age 92, of Flint, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at McLaren Regional Medical Center. A memorial service to honor her life will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Trinity Assembly Church of God, 4363 W. Mt. Morris Rd., Mt. Morris. Prior to the service, visitation will take place from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Tuesday. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.

Wanda was born on June 17, 1931, in Caruthersville, Missouri, the daughter of Ezra and Effie Mae (Smith) Pruiett. She spent her early childhood on a farm, moved to Coloma, Michigan, at age 11, and proudly graduated from Coloma High School with the class of 1950. A few months after high school graduation on October 7, 1950, she eloped to Angola, Indiana, where she married William "Bill" Harrison whom she had met through her cousin Bobby Joe, and the young couple lived in the Flint area where they raised their family. They had all kinds of fun and many adventures together for 62 years before Bill's death on December 29, 2012. After his passing, Wanda loved to say that her handyman Bill was building her a house in heaven and waiting for her there.

Wanda always said, "I enjoyed my kids!", and she took great care of her family as her children were growing up. Her kids remember her as an enthusiastic and loving parent who enriched their lives greatly, taking them on countless family travel vacations and supporting their interest in music. She treasured being a mother. In more recent years, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joys, and she was actively involved in their lives with sleepovers, travel, home-cooked meals, and the "snack bag" which they learned to expect upon departure from her house. She loved to say, "Grandma loves you. Did you know that?" over and over, and this question was accompanied by big hugs and lots of kisses.  

Wanda enjoyed seeing the world (Among other world destinations, she and Bill were proud to have visited every state capitol building in the country, and they wintered in Arizona in retirement.), doing needlework (You should see the collection of cross stitch and doilies her family has!), and socializing. On bus trips with friends, Wanda was affectionately known as "The Hat Lady," and she had fun sharing her collection with the other travelers.  

 Wanda worked in food service with Carman Schools for 25 years before her retirement, and she was a devoted member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church where she loved her church family immensely. "We have more fun together!"  was a frequent comment about her senior group at church. 

Wanda's legacy is her devoted children and their spouses whom she loved so much, Janice (Timothy) Wilson, Rick (Linda) Harrison, Susan (Carter) Gonser and Denise (Stanley) Cole; grandchildren and their treasured spouses, Meg (Chris) Wyzlic, John Wilson, Ben (Iliana) Cole, Mitchell (Alexandra) Harrison and Daniel (Emily) Cole; sweet great-grandchildren, Harrison, Theo, and John Michael Wyzlic; a large number of nieces and nephews and their children, all of whom she loved dearly; and her many, many friends. She was widely known as Aunt Wanda to innumerable people completely unrelated to her.

In addition to her parents and cherished husband, Wanda was preceded in death by six brothers and her beloved sister, and we know that she is "tickled” to be reunited with all of them.
 
Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com, and those desiring to do so may direct memorial contributions to the Trinity Assembly of God Church.