Ardell C. Harrison, age 88

After spending 88 years making this world a better place, the beautiful and loving Harrison matriarch, Ardell C. Harrison, ascended to her heavenly paradise on August 5, 2023 at 4:55pm, to be reunited with the Lord. Born as Ardell Culberson on July 19, 1935, to Obron and Minnie Culberson in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ardell has left a legacy that will be seared in the hearts and minds of her loved ones for eternity.

Ardell was a proud Dunbar Bearcat who graduated from Dunbar High in 1953. In 1955, Ardell married the love of her life, the late Nathan V. Harrison. Together they bore 3 sons: Kenneth R. Harrison, Vincent Harrison, and Marcus A. Harrison. Ardell worked as a Line Supervisor at Teletype Corporation in Little Rock where she was offered a complete and early retirement at the age of 50. Ardell and Nathan were lifelong members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Ardell was a dedicated usher for many years and Nathan was Chairman of the Deacons.

Ardell, also known as Mom, Grandy, and Gran-Gran, had a smile that will never be forgotten. She was a beautiful diva inside and out and she knew it. You couldn’t tell her nothing! There wasn’t a time when her hair wasn’t laid or her crown wasn’t adorned with a fancy hat. She wore the most beautiful, stylish outfits and jewelry that would have made the most famous envious. She loved shopping, traveling, cooking, and loving on her family and friends. She was a dominoes, spades, and five-up connoisseur and loved playing with family and friends. She never truly lost a game because if you were lucky enough to beat her, in her mind you cheated!

The family will remember her unique, infectious laugh as well as her catch phrases such as, “I DECLARE,” “That’s a lie and the truth ain’t in ya,” and “I’ll say.” And just like any true grandmother, she always had a big container of treats for the grands and great grands; and always made sure they had enough to eat…. even after she’s already fed them 3 times in the past hour. Ardell was a strong woman who took care of her family and the people that she loved. If she didn’t like you, you were going to know it. However, if she loved you, she loved you no matter what and would dare someone to mess with you.

Ardell was preceded in death by her parents, Obron and Minie Culberson; her first love, Nathan V. Harrison, whom she was married to 40 years prior to his death in 1995; her firstborn son, Kenneth R. Harrison; stepson, Nathan Harrison Jr.; and siblings, Maceo Culberson and Leola Culberson Anderson. Ardell leaves to mourn her loving memory: sons, Marcus A. Harrison (Viviana Harrison) and Vincent Harrison; sister, Cleola Stevens; grandchildren, Coy D. Harrison (Chlarissa Harrison), Jasmine Harrison, Kennedy Harrison, Spencer Harrison, Andres Londono-Harrison, and Nicholas Harrison; great grandchildren, Kori Harrison (Trevor Keils), Jalen Harrison, Zachary Harrison, Cai Harrison, Coy Harrison, Landen Harrison, and Kendrix Pleasant; one great-great grandchild, Blaze Keils; and a host of other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 3:00-5:00p.m. in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com