Orval Harrison

Orval E. "Monk" Harrison, son of the late Charles Wesley and Mary Agatha McFarland Harrison was born May 1, 1914, and reared in Sikeston, Missouri, and passed away at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 2 , 2011, at the age of 97 years, 2 months and 1 day. On January 27, 1945, he was married to Lena McKenzie in Piggott, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on February 13, 2011. Surviving are one daughter, Hannah Jane Harrison of Brentwood, Tennessee; one sister, Maxine Berkbigler of Floresville, Texas; one brother-in-law, Wayne McKenzie of Parma, Missouri; and seventeen beloved nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by three brothers; Emory, Norval and Charles Harrison. Orval was owner and operator of Harrison Farms at Parma, Missouri, where he was actively engaged in the business to 90 years of age. He raised corn, milo, soybeans, cotton, wheat, and horses. However, Orval was known throughout the U. S. for raising the finest beef cattle. His adept hand at raising beef cattle attrracted buyers from all over the country and prompted the owner of South Memphis Stockyards to publicly declare his cattle to the the finest beef cattle to ever pass through the gates. Also, he was an avid hunter spending countless hours training his hunting dogs and proving his prowess on quail hunting expeditions with dear friends. Most importantly, Orval Harrison was a very generous man in coming to the aid of those less fortunate, and he fed the needy with his beef. No one coming to his door seeking help was turned away. He accepted Christ publicly at a Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville, TN, and in recent years, he was a highly respected member of the Brentwood, TN, community being honored with a Tennessee State Senate Resolution as one of Tennessee's most outstanding citizens. Visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2011, after 10:00 am at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Parma, Missouri. Services will be held Friday, July 8, 2011, at 1:00 pm in the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Parma, Missouri, with Allen Tesreau of Campbell, Missouri, and the Rev. Roy Sherfield of Dexter, Missouri, officiating. Interment will be in the Park Cemetery in Malden, Missouri, with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Parma, Missouri in charge of arrangements.