Obituary of Arminta Y Harrison

Arminta Yvonne Harrison was born on June 4, 1946 to James and Thelma Adams in Jenkinjones, West Virginia. She was affectionately called Nita. Nita graduated from Gary District High School, in Gary, West Virginia. After graduating from High School, she followed her other siblings and migrated to Boston, Massachusetts. Nita met and fell in love with John Harrison Jr. They were joined in holy matrimony on May 14, 1966. From this union they were blessed with two children, John Harrison III and Yvonne Harrison. Nita had several employment opportunities, which included, North Terminal, The Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Carl’s and Eddie’s Meat Market (a famous neighborhood landmark), Gillette Razor Company, after receiving a pre-retiring plan for 20 years of service, she continued her employment and finally retired from the YCN Bus Company. Over her years of employment, Nita gained life long friendships, including one with Ms. Lollie Rawls of GA. From an early age Nita was a believer in Christ Jesus. She attended Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Jenkinjones, West Virginia. She joined The Historic Charles Street A. M. E. Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts on May 19, 1999 under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. She recommitted herself on March 4, 2020. Nita had a kind heart and went out of her way to help others. In 1990, when her daughter Yvonne wanted to give to the homeless of Boston at Christmas, she jumped at the opportunity to help. They would begin in July to collect winter gloves, hats, scarfs and socks to pass out on Christmas day to the homeless population down at the Boston Commons, Pine Street End, and Rosie Place. In 1995 Nita decided to expand their mission by including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior building, where her brother Jerome was a resident. Using her own money and later donations from Gillette co-workers, who were supportive of her mission, she would make bags filled with candy and fruits that she would pass out to each resident. It was a learning experience on the true meaning of Christmas, as her daughter Yvonne, grandsons, brother Jerome and later on the Damon/Johnson family, her nieces Rev. Opal, Gigi, and Gigi’s children would join her. COVID-19 prevented her from doing it for 2020. Nita had a sense of humor. Her son John said, “Even a few weeks ago she said some surprising things that made us laugh.” She was like a mom to several family members that lost their mom at a young age. Her beautiful smile, sweet laugh, and nurturing spirit made all who were in her presence feel welcomed and loved. She loved to cook and was known for her delicious soul food cooking. Her dishes were always the hit at family gatherings. Even while she was sick and not able to eat or drink anything, she would still ask family that visited her if they wanted something to eat or drink. That’s just the kind of warm-hearted women she was. Nita was preceded in death by her father James Adams, her mother Thelma Adams-Green, her sisters, Algie Adams, Zetta Lovelace, Helen Holman, and Sylvia Pryor; brothers Thomas Baker, James Adams, Ernest Adams, Maurice Green, William Jerome Adams and sister in law Linda Adams. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband John Harrison Jr., children John Harrison III (Lashonda) and Yvonne Harrison; grandchildren Bernard Nolen (Joy), Joneé Harrison, Phillip Hatton and Sharell Harrison; great-grandchildren Raquel Nolen, Evan Blackledge, Joy Khloe Nolen and Preston Nolen; her sister Nancy Norflett, brothers Robert Adams (Darlene) and Calvin Green, sisters in law Joyce Harrison, Doris Harrison and Jacqueline Brown (Wayne) and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.